^f^^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


ly  ^^    ■■■ 
Ui  ^   12.2 


Hi 

lit 

u 


140 


1 2.0 


mi^m. 

< 

6"     

^ 

^;^*;^  ^^ 


HiotograiJiic 

ScMices 

Corporation 


^ 


^'^^ 


<>' 


^. 


n  WIST  MAM 
WnSTM.N.Y. 
(7;*)  173' 


ITMIT 

I4SM 
4S03 


4^ 


^. 


v\ 


o 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Inttituta  for  Historical  IMicroraproductiont  /  institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


^w,-,.! 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notoa/Notes  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliogrephicaily  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 


D 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^a 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurAe  et/ou  pelliculAe 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I   Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gAographiquas  en  couleur 


□    Coloured  inic  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encra  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


□    Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReliA  avec  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutics 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  la  texts, 
mais,  lorsquo  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  «t«  fiimAes. 

■  '  '  -    '■.'■■"' ,     ■    ■ 

Additional  comments:/  ^    '^* 

Commentaires  suppl4mentairas; 


Theec 
to  the 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  4tA  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  una 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-desscus. 


I      I   Coloured  pages/ 


0 

D 


D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagAes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^as  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicoiortes.  tachetAos  ou  piquias 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachtes 


The  in 
possifa 
of  the 
filmini 


Origin 
beginr 
the  lai 
sion,  ( 
other  ( 
first  pi 
sion,  f 
or  iliui 


Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  inigala  de  ('impression 


r~n   Includes  supplementary  material/ 


Comprend  du  material  supplimentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  disponible 


,-.  ■  r->' 


The  la 
shall  c 
TINUE 
which 

IMaps, 
differs 
entirei 
begini 
right  a 
requin 
methfl 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  una  pelura, 
etc..  ont  it*  filmies  i  nouveau  de  fapon  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  rMuction  indiqu*  ci-deaaous. 


10X 

14X 

itx 

22X 

MX 

aox 

y 

3 

12X 

^%x 

aox 

24X 

ax 

32X 

lire 

details 
jes  du 
modifier 
|er  une 
filmage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specif icetions. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g6nArosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  d;«  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  M  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetA  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


6a% 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmte  en  commengant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  racond 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  dee  symboles  suivants  apparaTtra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  y  signifie  "FIN". 


ire 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frnmes  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cflirtes,  planchec,  uibleaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA.  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  has,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


y  errata 
Id  to 

nt 

ne  pelure, 

i^on  A 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

^  'S 


•    #• 


•  * 


1 


( 
it 

I 


) 


1 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


^^i* 


1^.. 


I 


<t 


A  SENECA  INDIAN  IN  COSTUME. 


THE  IROQUOIS 


OK. 


C|e  irig^t  mt  tjf  fittrian  C&aradfr. 


BT 


MINNIE   MYETLE. 


NEW   YORK: 
D.   APPLETON   AND  COMPANY, 

846   AND   848    BROADWAY. 
1865. 


17 

T7 


2651:^8 


■I      ! 


Entebkd  according  to  Act  of  Congresss  in  the  year  1866,  by 

D.  APPLETON  &  COMPANY, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  C»)nrt  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York- 


SrMtfltnrii  ttWtx, 


TO 


COL.  THOMAS  McKENNEY,  AND  PHILLIP  E.  THOMAS. 


>»•- 


Without  their  knowledge,  I  presume  to  dedicate 
my  first  volume  of  Indian  History  to  those  whose 
names  I  have  heard  most  frequently,  as  friends  of 
the  red  man.  The  title  of  the  first  indicates  that 
he  has  been  on  the  war-path,  while  the  other  belongs 
to  the  Society  whose  members  are  so  eminently  the 
missionaries  of  peace.  The  one  was  for  many  years 
conspicuous  as  a  public  man,  and  the  other  has  been 
seen  only  in  the  most  private  walks,  but  they  have 
been  ever  intimately  associated  in  efforts  for  pro- 
moting the  best  interests  of  Indians  of  every  name 
and  race.  The  "  good  works "  of  the  one,  in  his 
official  capacity  and  as  an  author,  are  well  known, 
while  those  of  the  other  have  been  necessarily  silent 
and  unseen,  except  by  his  friends,  and  those  who 


! 


6 


DEDICATORY  LETTER. 


1 


were  the  recipients  of  the  blessings  he  has  so  munifi- 
cently scattered  ;  but  having  wandered  through  the 
scenes  of  their  labors,  I  have  found  them  to  have  been 
fellow-laborers,  the  designs  of  each  being  cordially 
approved  and  forwarded  by  the  other,  and  their 
sympathies  always  the  same. 

In  behalf  of  the  Indian,  to  whom  each  name  is 
dear  as  father,  protector  and  friend,  and  as  a  testi- 
mony of  her  own  reverence  and  grateful  affection, 
this  slight  tribute  is  offered  by  the 

AUTHOR. 


II  li 


»  niunifi- 
DUgh  the 
lave  been 
cordially 
Qd  their 


name  is 
3  a  testi- 
ifiection, 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS 


4»»- 


FHOR. 


iMTBODirOTIOir, 


PAAM. 
11 


CHAPTER  L 


National  Traits  of  Chabaoteb, 
Christian  Atrocities, 
Indian  Homes,   .  .  . 

Civilized  Barbarism, 
KingPliilip, 
Hospitality, 
Tbo  Ctiristian  and  Indian  contrasted. 


19 
21 
28 
25 
2T 
29 
81 


CHAPTER  IL 

National  Govbknment  ;  ob.  Long  House  or  thx  Iboqtiois  Lbaoui,  89 

Origin  of  the  League,          .           .             .              .             .  .88 

Design  of  tlie  League,             .....  85 

Indian  Traita,     .              .              .              .              .              .  .87 

Councils,     .......  89 

Wampum  and  Calumet,               .             .             .             .  .41 

Indian  Women,         ......  48 


CHAPTER  lU. 


Thc  Rkuoion  of  tbk  Iboquok, 
Anecdote,    . 
Employment  in  Heaven, 
Maple  Festival, 
Thanks  to  tho  Great  Spirit, 


44 
45 
4T 
49 
61 


;     i 


8 


Address  to  Heno, 

Succotash, 

Thanksgiving  Address, 

Guessing  of  Dreams, 

Indian  Courtesy, 

The  Council  Fire, 

The  Iroquois  not  Savages. 


CONTENTS. 


PAOB 

t>8 
.     55 

67 
.     69 

01 
.      68 

65 


I    1 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Customs  and  Indivtdital  tbaito  or  Cuabaotxb,         .             .  .67 

Indian  Burials,          ......  69 

Keligious  Duties,                            .              .             .              .  .71 

Indian  Vengeance,     ......  78 

Good  for  Evil,    .              .              .              .              .              .  .76 

Cannasatego,             ......  76 

Hans  Hanson,     .              .             .              .              .              .  .77 

Indian  Honesty,         ......  79 

Indian  Beauty,    .             .             .             .             .             .  .81 

CHAPTER  V. 

Love,  Music,  and  Poktry,     .              .              .             .              .  .88 

MatritnoniaIJ7cgotiations,       .....  86 

Bo "lal  Affections,             .              .              .              .             .  87 

L<       d  of  Ampatd  Sapa,         .              .             .              .             .  89 

Poetic  Sentiment  of  the  Indians,   .              .              .              .  .91 

A  Love  Legend,        ......  98 

Indian  Nobleness,             .               .               .              .              .  .95 

Instances  of  Civilization,           .....  97 

Characteristic  Songs,                      .              .              .              .  .99 

Transportation  of  Children,     .              .              .              '              .  101 

Honor  to  the  Nohle  Dead,              .              .                            .  .    108 

CHAPTER  VL 

LlOKKDABY  LiTEBATURB,                              .                   .                   .                   .  .106 

Indian  Legend,          ......  107 

Medicinal  Feast,              .             .             .             .             .  .109 

A  Hunting  Legend,    ......  116 

Adventures  of  the  Hunter  Ho-cha-gah,        ....    116 

A  Pigmy  Legend,      ......  121 

Legend  of  the  Jo-go.^),  or  Pigmies  destroying  the  Monster  Buffaloes,  .    121 

A  War  Legend,          ......  128 

War  Dance,                                    .              .              .              .  .186 

The  Virgin  of  War,  ......  126 

Indian  Fireside,               .              .              .              .              .  .189 

Miythologloal  Legends,             .                            ...  181 

The  Legend  «f  Ho-no,  the  Thunderer,         .             .              .  .181 


CONTENTS. 


9 


PAOB 

68 
.     55 

57 
.     69 

61 
.      68 

65 


67 
69 
71 
78 
76 
76 
7T 
79 
81 


88 
86 
87 
89 
91 
98 
95 
97 
99 
101 
108 


105 
107 
109 
115 
116 
121 
121 
128 
125 
126 
129 
181 
181 


6a-oh, 

The  Seven  Stare, 
The  Three  Sistere, 
The  Spirit  of  Corn, 


FAGB 

188 

.    183 

184 
.    185 


CHAPTER  VII. 


A  Captive's  Life  among  Indians,  Illustrated  by  the  Life  op  "The 

White  Woman,"      .  .              .              .              .              .186 

Treatment  of  Prisoners,  .....           137 

Eespent  towards  Women,  .....    189 

Story  of  Mary  Jewison,  .....           141 

Tlie  Deserted  Baby,         .  .              .               .              .              .168 

Mission  Burial  Ground,  .....          165 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Eloqitenck  among  the  Iroquois — Red  Jacket,  oe  Sa-go-ve-wat-ha,  .    168 

Red  Jaclcet,                ......  159 

Plea  of  the  Women,         .              .              .              .              .  .161 

Indian  Superstitions,  .             .               ...               .  163 

Eloquence  of  Red  Jacket,  .....    167 

The  Missionaries,       ......  171 

Witchcraft,         .              .              .              .              .              .  .178 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Saroasm  and  Sagacity— Red  Jacket,  or  8A-G0-TE-wAT-nA,     .  .    174 

Interview  with  Red  Jacket,    .....  175 

Vanity  of  Red  Jacket,     .              .               .              .              .  .186 

Lnst  liours  of  Red  Jacket,       .....  197 

Deatli  of  Red  Jacket,        .              .              .              .              .  .199 

lied  Jacket's  Grave,                 .....  201 

CHAPTER  X. 

Dignity  of  Character  among  the  Ieoquois,  Illustrated  by  the  life 

OF  Farmer's  Brother  and  Young-King,.  .  .  202 

Farmer's  Brother,  ......  203 

Generosity  to  Captives,  .....  205 

Ignoi'ance  of  Money,        ......  209 

Indian  Fund,  ......  211 

American  Barbarism,       ......  816 

Young-King,  .......  217 

Death  of  Young-King,     .  .  .  .  .  .    Sl9 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Indian  Magnanimity  Illustrate?  by  the  ura  or  coBMPLAirntB,  .  220 

Cornplanter,       .  .  .  .  .  .  .221 

Cornplanter'B  Generosity,        .....  228 


li 


:    i 


10 


CONTENTS. 


Code  of  Morality, 
Gornplanter's  Appeal, 
Cornplanter's  Son, 


CHAPTER  XII. 


Refinement  and  Sensibility  in  Indian  Character,  Illustrated  in  the 
Life  of  Logan,       ...... 

Logan,         ....... 

Logan's  Wrongs,  ...... 

Speech  of  Logan,       ...'.. 

CHAPTER  XIIL 

The  Darkf.8t  Page  of  Indian  History, 
Report  upon  the  Indians, 

Appeal  of  the  Indians,      .... 
Society  of  Friends,    .... 
Big  Kettle,         ..... 
Speech  of  Big  Kettle, 

Speech  of  Oayashnta,  addressed  to  the  Society  of  Friende, 
Speech  of  Biacl<  Hawk,  .  . 

Manners  and  Customs,      .... 
Red  Jacket's  Step-daughter,     .  .  . 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


The  Educated  Indian, 
Indian  Orations, 
Injustice  to  the  Indiano, 
Indian  Civilization, 
Indian  Oration, 
Closing  Kemarks, 


CHAPTER  XV. 


The  Future  of  the  North  American  Indiak,, 
lijustice  to  the  Indians, 
Story  of  James  Macdonald, 
Stigma  attached  to  the  Indians, 
Inconsistency,    .... 
Kiisick,        .... 
Sabbath  Morning  among  the  Chippowas, 
Doom  of  the  Indian, 

APPENDIX,  .... 


.'3 


23T 
289 
241 
248 


245 
247 
249 
261 
263 
263 
257 
269 
201 


267 
278 
275 
279 
288 


284 
SS5 
28T 
289 
291 
298 
895 
S97 

298 


28T 
289 
241 
243 


245 
24T 
249 
261 
262 
2C3 
257 
259 
261 


26C 
207 
273 
275 
279 
288 


284 
285 
287 
289 
291 
298 
295 
297 

298 


INTRODUCTION. 

"  A  book  about  Indians, — who  cares  any  thing  about 
them  ?  " 

This  will  probably  be  the  exclamation  of  many  who 
glance  at  my  title-page,  for  to  those  who  know  nothing  con- 
cerning them,  a  whole  book  about  Indians  will  seem  a  very 
prosy  aflFair.  To  these  I  can  answer  nothing,  for  they  will 
not  proceed  as  far  as  my  preface  to  see  what  reason  I 
can  render  for  this  seeming  folly.  But  to  those  who  are 
willing  to  listen,  I  will  say,  that  the  Indians  are  a  very 
interesting  people,  whether  I  have  made  an  interesting 
book  about  them  or  not. 

The  Antiquarian,  the  Historian,  and  the  Scholar,  have 
been  a  long  time  studying  Indian  character,  and  have 
given  us  plenty  of  information  concerning  Indians,  but  it 
is  all  in  ponderous  tomes  for  State  and  College  libraries, 
and  quite  inaccessible  to  the  multitudes.  Those  who  only 
take  up  such  books  as  may  be  held  in  the  hand,  sitting  by 
the  fire,  still  remain  very  ignorant  of  the  inhabitants  who 
peopled  the  forests,  before  the  Saxon  set  his  foot  upon  our 
shore. 

There  is  also  a  great  deal  of  prejudice,  the  consequeDoe 


I  • 


■  I 
.,1 


I ' 


12 


INTRODUCTION. 


of  this  ignoi  \ice,  and  the  consequence  of  the  representa- 
tions of  our  forefathers,  who  were  brought  into  contact 
with  the  Indians,  under  circumstances  that  made  it  im- 
possible to  judge  impartially  and  correctly. 

This  ignorance  and  prejudice  I  have  attempted  to  dis- 
pel. I  thought  at  first  of  only  giving  a  series  of  Indian 
Biographies,  but  without  some  knowledge  of  the  Govern- 
ment and  Religion  of  the  Iriquois,  the  lives  of  their  great 
men  could  not  be  understood  or  appreciated.  The  histo- 
ries which  are  in  our  schools,  and  from  which  our  first  im- 
pressions are  obtained,  are  still  very  deficient  in  what 
they  relate  of  Indian  history,  and  most  of  them  are  still 
filling  the  minds  of  children  and  youth  with  very  false 
ideas. 

I  knew  little  of  what  I  was  undertaking  when  I  began, 
or  I  might  have  shrunk  from  the  task.  In  my  ignorance 
I  thought  a  very  small  book  would  cover  all  the  ground  I 
had  marked  out,  but  I  soon  found  it  would  not  cover  half 
of  it,  and  I  am  obliged  to  leave  the  lives  of  Brandt  the 
great  Mohawk  Chief,  of  Sir  William  Johnson  and  several 
other  interesting  chiefs  and  personages  connected  with 
Indian  history,  for  another  volume.  If  the  success  of 
these  should  be  sufficiently  encouraging,  they  may  be  fol- 
lowed by  others,  concerniDg  Southern  Indians,  in  volumes 
to  correspond  in  design  and  character. 

Though  a  difficult  task,  I  have  found  it  a  very  pleas- 
ing one.  The  mists  of  prejudice  and  ignorance  have  been 
cleared  from  my  own  mind  by  the  light  of  truth,  and  I  have 
been  happy  indeed,  when,  either  in  imagination  or  in 
reality,  I  have  been  seated  by  Indian  firesides.     I  havo 


INTRODTJCTION. 


13 


epresenta- 
bo  contact 
lade  it  im- 

ted  to  dis- 
of  Indian 
le  Govern- 
their  great 
The  histo- 
ir  first  im- 
it  in  what 
m  arc  still 
very  false 

m  I  began, 

ignorance 

ground  I 

cover  half 

raudt  the 

nd  several 

cted  with 

luccess  of 

lay  be  fol- 

n  volumes 

^ery  pleas- 
have  been 
md  I  have 
ion  or  in 
I  havo 


read  every  thing  I  could  hear  of  connected  with  ray  sub- 
jects, but  aside  from  books  have  enjoyed  peculiar  facilities 
for  prosecuting  my  labors.  A  teacher  whom  I  loved  in 
childhood,  became  a  missionary  among  the  Senecas  in 
Western  New  York.  In  compliance  with  her  wishes  we 
took  a  little  Indian  girl  into  our  family,  who  was  my  pupil 
and  companion  two  years,  and  whom  we*  all  learned  to 
love.  Her  father  was  the  step-son  of  Red  Jacket,  the 
most  renowned  chief  of  the  Iriquois,  and  through  our 
correspondence  with  the  missionaries,  we  continued,  and 
deepened  our  interest  in  her  people.  It  was  long  a  favor- 
ite idea  with  me  to  write  a  book  concerning  them,  and 
when  I  had  decided  to  do  so,  I  went  to  Cattaraugus  and 
spent  several  months  in  order  to  become  better  acquainted 
with  the  Indians  myself,  and  to  be  in  daily  communion 
with  those  who  had  been  among  them  more  than  twenty 
years,  and  also  to  gain  access  to  books  and  documents  to 
be  found  nowhere  else. 

On  glancing  at  the  table  of  contents  the  book  may 
seem  fragmentary,  but  instead  of  devoting  a  whole  long 
chapter  to  the  dry  details  of  "  manners  and  customs,"  I 
have  woven  these  usually  uninteresting  materials  into  the 
Biographies,  so  that  no  one  part  can  be  at  all  understood 
or  appreciated  without  reading  the  whole. 

My  title  will  not  be  so  attractive  to  American  ears  as 
if  it  related  to  any  other  unknown  people.  A  tour  in 
Arabia,  or  Africa,  or  Kamschatka,  with  far  less  important 
and  interesting  material,  would  secure  a  greater  number 
of  readers,  as  we  are  always  more  curious  about  things 
afar  ofif. 


1 


I 


14 


INTRODUCTION. 


I  might  have  oovered  as  many  pages  with  "  Indian 
atrocities,"  but  these  have  been  detailed  in  other  histories 
till  they  are  familiar  to  every  ear,  and  I  had  neither  room 
nor  inclination  for  even  a  glance  at  war  and  its  dark 
records. 

I  have  not  written  the  whole  truths  yet  what  I  have 
written  is  truth,  in  the  minutest  details. 

Mr.  Clarkp  in  the  "  Onondaga,"  has  in  two  largo 
volumes  given,  a  mass  of  useful  information  concerning  mis- 
sions, and  Indian  life  and  character ;  and  in  the  "  History 
of  Pontiac,"  by  Parkman,  wo  have  a  glowing  picture  of 
forest  life,  and  life-breathing  portraits  of  forest  men. 

Charlevoix,  La  Hontan,  Golden,  Smith,  Macaulay, 
Morse,  and  Bancroft,  are  well  known  historians,  and  their 
books  are  the  fountains  to  which  all  resort  for  historical 
knowledge. 

Mr.  William  L.  Stone  has  given  us  several  Indian 
Biographies,  which  are  most  interesting  and  truthful,  pre- 
senting Indian  rights  and  wrongs  in  a  new  light,  and  doing 
justice  to  Indian  character.  To  these  I  am  indebted  for 
some  of  the  most  valuable  materials  of  my  book. 

Mr.  Schoolcraft  has  given  us  a  world  of  wondrous 
things  in  his  numerous  quartos  and  folios,  which  will 
prove  a  treasure-house  in  all  future  time  for  philologists, 
ethnologists,  and  antiquarians  of  all  names ;  and  Mr. 
Lewis  H.  Morgan '  has  written  one  of  the  most  curious 
books  in  his  "  League  of  the  Iriquois,"  in  which  we  have 
the  Government,  Religion,  and  Customs  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions portrayed  truly,  and  yet  so  brightly,  that  one  is 
almost  tempted  to  say, ''  What  need  is  there  of  a  better 


INTRODUCTION. 


rs 


th  "Indian 
ler  histories 
either  room 
id  its  dark 

yhat  I  have 

two  largo 
erning  mis- 
i  "  History 
picture  of 

men. 

Macaulay, 
,  and  their 

historical 

al  Indian 
thful,  pre- 
and  doing 
iebted  for 

wondrous 
hich  will 
ilologists, 
and  Mr. 
b  curious 
we  have 
Six  Na- 
t  one  is 
a  better 


way  ?  "  There  are  few,  however  learned,  who  would  not 
be  surprised  on  reading  his  account  of  Indian  "  Church 
and  State."  Knowing  his  devotion  to  truth  and  accuracy, 
and  his  opportunities  for  obtaining  correct  knowledge  of 
what  he  wrote,  I  have,  in  all  I  have  taken  from  books 
concerning  the  Iriquois  Confederacy,  relied  upon  him.  To 
him  I  am  also  indebted  for  criticisms  and  suggestions 
which  will  save  the  critics  much  trouble,  though  they  will 
probably  have  plenty  to  do  as  it  is. 

The  works  of  Col.  Thomas  L.  McKenney,  the  well- 
known  administrator  of  Indian  aflFairs,  contain  the  most  life- 
like and  glowing  pictures  of  Indian  character,  and  the  most 
truthful  appreciation  of  Indian  life,  for  he  knew  our  forest 
forefathers  longer,  and  saw  them  under  a  greater  variety 
of  circumstances,  than  it  was  possible  for  another  to  do ; 
and  he  rightly  understood  both  the  Indian  and  the  white 
man,  and  the  means  of  adapting  them  to  each  other. 

Alas,  that  his  noble  plans  for  civilizing  and  Chris- 
tianizing the  red  races  of  America  should  have  been  frus- 
trated, when  there  was  not  only  the  hope,  but  the  most 
encouraging  prospect,  that  the  work  might  be  accom- 
plished. His  was  no  Utopian  scheme,  but  one  which  suc- 
cessful operation  had  proved  practicable.  But  it  was  not 
so  to  be.  He  could  not  save  them  ;  but  through  his  own 
personal  efforts,  and  influence  as  head  of  department,  we 
have  the  gallery  of  Indian  portraits,  invaluable  as  speci- 
mens of  art,  and  invaluable  as  the  only  correct  representa- 
tives of  a  people  so  soon  to  have  passed  away.  I  am  not 
only  indebted  to  the  books  of  Mr.  McKenney,  but  to  him, 


I'M 


.^1 


J 


It  I 


16 


INTRODUCTION. 


for  every  facility  which  it  has  been  in  hii  power  to  afford 
for  information,  and  promoting  the  success  of  my  plan. 

In  the  poem  of  Alfred  B.  Street,  "  Frontenac,"  wc 
have  the  government,  religion,  and  festivals  of  the  Long 
House  in  one  beautiful  picture.  As  a  poem,  it  is  one  of 
the  most  artistic  in  our  language  ;  but  its  Indian  hue  has 
prevented  its  being  appreciated,  and  it  concerns  a  people 
so  little  known  and  so  entiroly  misunderstood  in  prose, 
that  its  descriptions  are  like  a  panorama  without  light.  I 
have  quoted  from  it  several  songs,  to  embellish  my  sombre 
pages. 

Tecumseh,  by  Colton,  has  been  longer  published,  and 
is  better  known  ;  and  the  poems  of  Hosmer  are  familiar 
to  the  readers  of  Magazines,  and  do  not  need  me  to  com- 
mend them. 

I  have  not  wished  to  encumber  my  book  with  9iotes 
and  authorities,  and  therefore  express  my  obligations,  by 
naming  the  principal  sources  of  my  information  from 
books,  in  this  way,  and  add  that  I  have  gleaned  "  here 
a  little  and  there  a  little,"  wherever  I  could  find  any 
thing  to  suit  my  purpose. 

Mr.  Wright,  in  whose  family  I  remained  whilst  seek- 
ing new  materials,  understands  the  Seneca  language,  and 
also  many  others,  and  gave  me  freely  the  results  of  his  long 
and  intimate  experience  of  Indian  life ;  whilst  his  wife, 
who  also  speaks  the  language  with  fluency,  was  enabled, 
by  the  observation  which  is  woman's  peculiar  province, 
and  as  a  highly  cultivated  intellectual  woman,  to  give  me 
the  aid  which  no  map,  however  learned  he  might  be,  could 
render. 


INTRODUCTION. 


17 


er  to  afford 
my  plan, 
ntenac,"  wc 
f  the  Long 
it  is  one  of 
ian  hue  has 
ns  a  people 
id  in  prose, 
at  light.  I 
L  my  sombre 

blished,  and 
ire  familiar 
me  to  com- 

with  notes 
igations,  by 
ation  from 
aned  "  here 
find  any 

whilst  seek- 
guage,  and 
of  his  long 

his  wife, 
kS  enabled, 

province, 
0  give  me 
t  be,  could 


There  are  also  many  educated  Indians  on  my  list  of 
friends  and  helpers.  Dr.  Peter  Wilson  is  well  known  as 
a  highly  gifted  and  educated  mun.  Mr.  N.  T.  Strong 
and  M.  B.  Pierce  are  intelligent  and  accomplished  gen- 
tlemen. To  Mr.  N.  W.  and  Ely  S.  Parker  I  am  much 
indebted,  as  their  time  and  knowledge  have  been  ever 
cordially  at  my  service.  The  one  is  engaged  in  transla- 
ting the  Bible  into  the  Seneca  language,  having  been  edu- 
cated at  the  Normal  School,  Albany ;  and  the  other  is 
one  of  the  most  honored  and  valuable  servants  in  the  em- 
ployment of  the  State,  as  Engineer.  Their  sister  is  a 
highly  intelligent  and  cultivated  young  lady,  as  one  often 
meets  in  any  society.  These  that  I  have  mentioned  are 
young,  and  pertain  to  the  new  order  of  things  ;  but  there 
are  aged  men  and  aged  women  still  living,  who  give  us 
some  idea  of  the  Indian  as  he  was.  I  have  been  in  their 
houses,  and  become  acquainted  with  their  hearts,  and  not 
among  any  people  have  I  seen  firesides  where  love  and 
friendship  wore  a  brighter  smile,  or  hearts  throbbed  with 
more  genuine  Christian  sympathy. 

I  experienced  to  the  full  their  cordial  hospitality, 
and  bring  away  the  mark  of  respect  which  they  only  be- 
stow yy^on  favored  ones.  The  manner  in  which  names  are 
bestowed  is  one  of  their  pec<\iiar  customs,  and  is  quite  an 
imposing  ceremony.  The  name  of  every  child  is  pub- 
licly confirmed  in  Council,  in  order  to  be  a  legal  name ; 
and  when  he  grows  to  marVs  estate,  another  is  given  him, 
which  is  confirmed  in  the  same  public  way.  At  the 
present  time,  whea  they  bestow  a  name  upon  a  stranger, 


18 


INTRODUCTION. 


it  is  usually  done  at  the  New  Year's  Council,  whether  the 
person  is  present  or  absent. 

Mine  was  conferred  at  a  private  social  gathering,  a 
speech  being  made  on  the  occasion  by  Sha-dye-no-wah 
(John  Hudson),  one  of  their  most  distinguished  men,  who 
adopted  me  into  the  Bear  tribe  as  his  niece.  This  token 
of  regard  was  afterwards  confirmed  by  a  Council  of  the 
Nation,  and  this  name  I  shall  be  ever  proud  to  subscribe. 
It  signifies  "  one  who  has  a  new  style,"  or  "  tells  new 
things." 

Gui-EE-WA-ZAY. 


,  whether  the 


gathering,  a 
a-dye-no-wah 
led  men,  who 
This  token 
ouncil  of  the 
to  subscribe. 
'  "  tells  new 


WA-ZAY. 


li 


|i    r 


<   :|  J! 


n  ;f 


1i:i 


II: 


INDIAN  WOMAN  IN  COSTUME. 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


-♦■•"♦- 


CHAPTER  I. 


NATIONAL   TRAITS   OF    CHARACTER. 


In  all  the  early  histories  of  the  American  colonies — in 
the  stories  of  Indian  life  and  delineations  of  Indian  cha- 
racter— we  have  these  children  of  the  wilderness  repre- 
sented as  savage  and  barbarous,  with  scarcely  a  redeeming 
trait  of  character.  And  in  the  minds  of  a  large  portion 
of  the  community  the  sentiment  still  prevails,  that  they 
were  bloodthirs'ty,  revengeful,  and  merciless — justly  a 
terror  to  both  friends  and  foes.  Children  are  impressed 
with  the  idea  that  an  Indian  is  scarcely  human,  and  as 
much  to  be  feared  as  the  most  ferocious  animal  of  the 
forest. 

Novelists  have  now  and  then  clothed  a  few  with  a 
garb  which  excites  our  admiration ;  but  seldom  has  one 
been  invested  with  qualities  which  we  could  love,  unless 
it  were  also  said  that  through  some  captive,  taken  in  dis- 
tant wars,  he  inherited  a  whiter  skin  and  a  paler  blood. 

But  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  Indians  are  not  alone 
in  being  savage — ^not  alone  barbarous,  and  heartless,  and 
merciless. 


I  li'l 


'I 
i 


20 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


I'i,:, 


It  is  said  tney  were  exterminating  each  other  by  ag- 
gressive and  devastating  wars  before  the  white  people 
came  among  them.  But  wars — certainly,  aggressive  and 
exterminating  wars — are  not  proofs  of  barbarity.  The 
bravest  warrior  was  the  most  honored ;  and  this  has  been 
ever  true  of  Christian  nations  ;  and  those  who  call  them- 
selves Christian,  have  not  ceased  yet  to  look  upon  him 
who  could  plan  most  successfully  the  wholesale  slaughter 
of  human  beings,  as  the  most  deserving  his  king's  and  his 
country's  laurels.  How  long  since  the  paean  died  away 
in  praise  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington  ?  What  have  been 
the  wars  in  which  all  Europe  has  been  engaged  since  there 
have  been  any  records  of  her  history?  For  what  are 
civilized  and  Christian  nations  now  drenching  their  fields 
with  blood  ? 

It  is  said  the  Indian  was  cruel  to  the  captive,  and  in- 
flicted unspeakable  tortures  upon  his  enemy  taken  in  battle. 
But,  from  what  we  know  of  them,  it  is  not  to  be  inferred 
that  Indian  chiefs  were  ever  guilty  of  filling  dungeons 
with  innocent  victims,  or  slaughtering  hundreds  and  thou- 
sands of  their  own  people,  whose  only  sin  was  a  quiet  dis- 
sent from  some  religious  dogma.  Towards  their  enemies 
they  were  often  relentless,  and  they  had  good  reason  to 
look  upon  white  men  as  their  enemies.  They  slew  them 
in  battle,  plotted  against  them  secretly,  and  in  a  few  in- 
stances— few  comparatively — subjected  individuals  to  tor- 
ture, burnt  them  at  the  stake,  and,  perhaps,  flayed  them 
alive.  But  who  knows  any  thing  of  the  precepts  and  prac- 
tice of  Koman  Catholic  Christendom,  and  quotes  these 
things  as  proofs  of  unmitigated  barbarity  ?  At  the  very 
time  that  Indians  were  using  the  tomahawk  and  scalping- 
knife  to  avenge  their  wrongs,  peaceful  citizens  in  every 
country  in  Europe,  where  the  Pope  was  the  man  of  au- 
thority, were   incarcerated   for   no  crime   whatever,  and 


this 


CHRISTIAN     ATROCITIES. 


21 


other  by  ag- 
white  people 
jgressive  and 
■barity.  The 
this  has  been 
ho  call  them- 
ok  upon  him 
ale  slaughter 
cing's  and  his 
in  died  away 
at  have  been 
Bd  since  there 
ji'or  what  are 
ig  their  fields 

iptive,  and  in- 

aken  in  battle. 

to  be  inferred 

ing  dungeons 

eds  and  thou- 

IS  a  quiet  dis- 

their  enemies 

)od  reason  to 

By  slew  them 

in  a  few  in- 

duals  to  tor- 

,  flayed  them 

pts  and  prac- 

quotes  these 

At  the  very 

and  scalping* 

eus  in  every 

man  of  au- 

hatevcr,  and 


such  refinements  of  torture  invented  and  practised  as  it 
never  entered  in  the  heart  of  the  fiercest  Indian  warrior 
that  roamed  the  wilderness,  to  inflict  upon  man  or  beast. 
We  know  very  little  of  the  secrets  of  the  Inquisition,  and 
this  little  chills  our  blood  with  horror ;  yet  these  things 
were  done  in  the  name  of  Christ,  the  Saviour  of  the  world 
— the  Piince  of  Peace;  and  not  savage,  but  civilized, 
Christian  men  looked  on,  not  coldly,  but  rejoicingly, 
while  women  and  children  writhed  in  flames  and  weltered 
in  blood  !  • 

Wore  the  atrocities,  committed  in  the  Vale  of  Wyo- 
ming and  Cherry  Valley  unprecedented  among  the  Wal- 
densian  fastnesses  and  the  mountains  of  Auvergne  ?  Who 
has  read  Fox's  Book  of  Martyrs  and  found  any  thing  to 
parallel  it  in  all  the  records  of  Indian  warfare  ?  The 
slaughter  of  St.  Bartholomew'sday,  the  destruction  of 
the  Jews  in  Spain,  and  the  Scotch  Covenanters,  were  in 
obedience  to  the  mandates  of  Christian  princes,  aye,  and 
some  of  them  devised  by  Christian  women,  who  professed 
to  be  serving  God,  and  to  make  the  Bible  the  man  of 
their  counsel. 

It  is  said  also  the  Indian  was  treacherous,  and  in  com- 
pliance with  the  conditions  of  no  treaty  was  ever  to  be 
trusted.  But  our  Puritan  fathers  cannot  be  wholly  ex- 
onerated from  the  charge  of  faithlessness ;  and  who  does 
not  blush  to  talk  of  Indian  traitors  when  he  remembers 
the  Spanish  invasion  and  the  fall  of  the  princely  and 
magnanimous  Montezuma  ? 

"  Indians  believed  in  witches  and  burned  them  too  !  " 
Did  not  the  sainted  Baxter,  with  the  Bible  in  his  hand, 
pronounce  it  right  ?  and  was  not  the  Indian  permitted  to 
be  present,  when  a  quiet,  unofifending  woman  was  cast 
into  the  fire  by  the  decree  of  a  Puritan  council  1 

To  come  down  to  more  decidedly  Christian  times,  we 


22 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


III! 


l! 


'111  ' 
If 


tiiti 


E 


fl.): 


II 


I:    I 


are  yet  called  upon  to  shudder  at  the  revelations  of 
Howard  and  Miss  Dix.  It  is  not  so  very  long  since,  in 
Protestant  England,  hanging  was  the  punishment  of  a 
petty  theft,  and  long  and  hopeless  imprisonment,  of  a 
slight  misdemeanor.  I  think  it  is  within  the  memory  of 
those  who  are  not  the  eldest  i?ihabitants,  when  men  were 
set  up  to  be  stoned  and  spit  upon  by  those  who  claimed 
the  exclusive  right  to  be  called  humane  and  merciful. 

Again,  it  is  said,  the  Indian  mode  of  warfare  is,  with- 
out exception,  the  most  inhuman  and  revolting.  But  I  do 
not  know  that  those  who  die  by  the  barbed  and  poisoned 
arrow,  linger  in  more  unendurable  torments,  than  those 
who  are  mangled  by  powder  and  balls.  The  tomahawk 
makes  quick  work  of  dying,  and  the  custom  of  scalping 
among  Christian  murderers  would  save  thousands  from 
groaning  days,  and  perhaps  weeks,  among  heaps  that  cover 
victorious  fields  and  fill  hospitals  with  the  wounded  and  the 
dying  !  But  scalping  was  not  an  invention  exclusively 
Indian.  "  It  claims,"  says  Prescott,  "  high  authority,  or,  at 
least,  antiquity."  The  Father  of  history,  Herodotus,  gives 
an  account  of  it  among  the  Scythians,  showing  that  they 
performed  the  operation,  and  wore  the  scalps  of  their  ene- 
mies taken  in  battle,  as  trophies,  in  the  same  manner  as 
our  North  American  Indians.  Traces  of  the  same  custom 
are  also  found  in  the  laws  of  the  Visigoths,  among  the 
Franks,  and  even  the  Anglo-Saxons."  The  Southern  In- 
dians did  not  scalp,  but  they  had  a  system  of  slavery,  no 
trace  of  which  is  to  be  found  among  the  customs,  laws, 
or  legends  of  the  Iriquois. 

Again  :  *'  They  carried  away  women  and  children  cap- 
tive, and  in  tlicir  long  journeys  through  the  wilderness, 
they  were  subjected  to  heart-rending  trials." 

The  wars  of  Christian  men  throw  hundreds  and  thoa- 


III  ; 

lliih 


INDIAN   HOMES. 


23 


relations  of 
oi\g  since,  in 
shment  of  a 
ment,   of    a 

memory  of 
m  men  wero 
who  claimed 
nerciful. 
fare  is,  with- 
g.  But  I  do 
ind  poisoned 
},  than  those 
le  tomahawk 
I  of  scalping 
usands  from 
ps  that  cover 
nded  and  the 

exclusively 

hority.  or,  at 
odotus,  gives 
g  that  they 
of  their  ene- 
manner  as 

mme  custom 
among  the 

outhern  In- 
slavery,  no 

stems,  laws, 

lildren  cap- 
wilderness, 

s  and  thou- 


sands of  women  and  children  helpless  upon  the  cold  world, 
to  toil,  to  beg,  to  starve ! 

This  is  not  so  bright  a  picture  as  is  usually  given  of 
peopl'"  who  have  written  laws  and  stores  of  learning ;  but 
I  cannot  see  that  in  any  place  the  coloring  is  too  dark. 
There  is  no  danger  of  painting  Indians,  so  that  they  will 
become  attractive  to  civilized  people  ;  and  there  is  no  need 
of  painting  them  more  hideously  than  they  paint  them- 
selves. 

There  is  a  bright  and  pleasing  side  to  Indian  character ; 
and  thinking  that  there  has  been  enough  written  of  their 
wars  and  their  crueUies,  of  the  hunter's  and  the  fisherman's 
life,  I  have  sat  down  by  their  firesides,  and  listened  to 
their  legends,  and  tried  to  become  acquainted  with  their 
domestic  habit?,  and  to  understand  their  finer  feelings,  and 
the  truly  noble  traits  of  their  character. 

It  is  so  long  now  since  they  were  the  lords  of  our  soil, 
and  formidable  as  our  enemies, — they  are  so  utterly  wasted 
away  and  helpless  that  we  can  aiFord  to  listen  to  the  truth, 
and  to  believe  that  even  our  enemies  had  virtues.  Man 
was  created  in  the  imago  of  God,  and  it  cannot  be  that 
any  thing  human  is  utterly  vile  and  contemptible.  To 
remain  in  ignorance  and  censure  without  knowledge  is 
easier  than  to  study  and  toil  for  the  truth,  but  with  the 
present  facilities  for  digging.  Christian  people  cannot  be 
excused  in  remaining  content  with  dross. 

Those  who  have  always  thought  of  Indians  as  roaming 
about  in  the  forests,  hunting  and  fishing  or  at  war,  will 
laugh,  perhaps,  at  the  idea  of  Indian  homes  and  domestic 
happiness ;  yet  there  is  no  people  of  which  we  have  any 
knowledge,  among  whom,  in  their  primitive  state,  family 
ties  and  relationships  were  more  distinctly  defined  or 
more  religiously  respected. 

The  treatment  which  they  received  from  the  white 


1^  lb 


ii;!.'- 


24 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


II 


1. 

'ir''  i 


I'' !  ■ :  : 


iii 


ft' 


'•ii 


I  > 


t':^ 


!  (I' !  i 


1;,' 


people,  whom  they  always  considered  as  intruders,  aroused 
and  kept  in  exercise  all  their  ferocious  passions,  so  that 
none  except  those  who  mingled  with  them  as  missionaries 
or  as  captives,  saw  them  in  their  true  character — as  they 
were  to  each  other. 

Almost  any  portrait  which  we  have  of  Indians,  repre- 
sents them  with  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  in  hand,  as 
if  they  possessed  no  other  but  a  bai-barous  nature.  Chris- 
tian nations  might  mth  equal  justice  be  always  repre- 
sented with  cannon  and  balls  and  swords  and  pistols,  as 
the  emblems  of  their  employments  and  their  prevailing 
tastes. 

The  details  of  wars  form  far  too  great  a  portion  of 
every  history  of  civilized  and  barbarous  nations ;  to  con- 
quer and  to  slay  has  been  too  long  the  glory  of  Christian 
people ;  he  who  has  been  most  successful  in  subjugating 
and  oppressing,  in  mowing  down  human  beings,  has  too 
long  worn  the  laurel  crown, — been  too  long  an  object  for 
the  admiration  of  men  and  the  love  of  woman. 

We  are  weary  of  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war — 
of  princely  banquets  and  gay  cavalcades.  The  time  and 
space  we  bestow  upon  Kings  and  Courts,  and  the  ho- 
mage we  pay  to  empty  titles,  are  unworthy  our  professed 
Republican  spirit,  and  preferences.  Let  us  turn  aside 
from  the  war  path  and  sit  down  by  the  hearth  stone  of 
peace. 

In  the  pictures  which  I  shall  give  I  shall  confine  myself 
principally  to  the  Iriquois  or  Six  Nations,  a  people  who  no 
more  deserve  the  term  savage,  than  we  do  that  of  heathen, 
because  we  have  still  lingering  among  us  heathen  super- 
stitions, and  many  opinions  and  practices  which  deserve 
no  better  name  I 

The  cannibals  of  some  of'the  West  India  Islands,  and 
the  islands  of  the  Pacific,  may  with  justice  be  termed  sav- 


I 


hi'h 


CIVILIZED   BARBARISM. 


25 


tders,  aroused 
gions,  so  that 
5  missionaries 
cter — as  they 

[ndians,  repre- 
fe  in  hand,  as 
ature.  Chris- 
always  repre- 
ind  pistols,  as 
leir  prevailing 

a  portion  of 
itions ;  to  con- 
y  of  Christian 
in  subjugating 
)eings,  has  too 
an  object  for 
,n. 

ance  of  war — 
The  time  and 
and  the  ho- 
our  professed 
us  turn  aside 
arth  stone  of 

jonfine  myself 
people  who  no 
lat  of  heathen, 
[eathen  super- 
^hich  deserve 

Islands,  and 
)e  termed  eav- 


I 


age,  but  a  people  like  the  Iriquois  who  had  a  government, 
established  offices,  a  system  of  religion  eminently  pure 
and  spiritual,  a  code  of  honor  and  laws  of  hospitality  ex- 
celling those  of  all  other  nations,  should  be  considered 
something  better  than  savage,  or  utterly  barbarous. 

The  terrible  tortures  they  inflicted  upon  their  enemies 
have  made  their  name  a  terror,  and  yet  there  were  not  so 
many  burnt  and  hung  and  starved  by  them  as  perish 
among  Christian  nations  by  these  means.  The  miseries 
they  inflicted  were  light  in  comparison  with  those  they 
suffered,  and  when  individuals  from  them  have  come 
among  us  to  expose  the  barbarity  of  savage  white  men,  the 
deeds  they  relate  equal  any  thing  we  know  of  Indian  cruelty. 
The  picture  an  Indian  will  give  of  civilized  barbarism, 
leaves  the  revolting  customs  of  the  wilderness  quite  in  the 
background.  We  experienced  their  revenge  when  we  had 
put  their  souls  and  bodies  on  the  rack,  and  with  our 
firewater  had  maddened  their  brains.  There  was  a  pure 
and  beautiful  spirituality  in  their  faith,  and  their  conduct 
was  as  much  influenced  by  it  as  are  any  people,  Christian 
or  pagan. 

Is  there  any  thing  more  barbaric  in  the  annals  of 
Indian  warfare  than  the  narrative  of  the  destruction  of 
the  Pequod  Indians  ?  In  one  place  we  read  of  the  sur- 
prise of  an  Indiaa  fort  by  night,  when  the  inmates  were 
slumbering  unconscious  of  danger.  When  they  awoke 
they  were  wrapped  in  flames,  and  when  they  attempted  to 
flee,  were  shot  down  like  wild  beasts.  From  village  to 
village,  and  wigwam  to  wigwam,  the  murderers  proceeded, 
"  being  resolved,"  as  our  historian  piously  remarks,  '•  by 
God's  assistance,  to  make  a  final  destruction  of  them," 
till  Anally  a  small  but  gallant  band  took  refuge  in  a  swamp 
"  Burning  with  indignation  and  made  sullen  by  despair  ; 
with  hearts  bursting  ^itl^  grief  at  the  destruction  of  theiy 
2 


Wl ' 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


if':! 
I'  1 


IS 


I' 


nation,  and  spirits  galled  and  sore  at  the  fancied  ignominy 
of  their  defeat,  they  refused  to  ask  their  lives  at  the  hand 
of  an  insulting  foe,  and  preferred  death  to  submission. 
As  the  night  drew  on  they  were  surrounded  in  their  dis- 
mal retreat,  and  volleys  of  musketry  poured  into  their 
midst,  till  nearly  all  were  killed  or  buried  in  the  mire." 
In  the  darkness  of  a  thick  fog  which  preceded  the  dawn 
of  day,  a  few  broke  through  the  ranks  of  the  besiegers  and 
escaped  to  the  woods. 

Again,  the  same  historian  tells  us  that  the  few  who 
remained  *'  stood  like  suUeti  dogs  to  be  killed  rather  than 
implore  mercy  ;  and  the  soldiers,  on  entering  the  swamps, 
found  many  sitting  together  in  groups,  when  they  ap- 
proached ;  and  resting  their  guns  on  the  boughs  of  trees 
within  a  few  yards  of  them,  literally  filled  their  bodies 
with  bullets."  *  But  they  were  Indians,  and  it  was  pro- 
nounced a  pious  work.  "  When  the  Gauls  invaded  Italy, 
and  the  Roman  senators,  in  their  purple  robes  and  chairs 
of  state,  sat  unmoved  in  the  presence  of  barbarian  con- 
querors, disdaining  to  flee  and  equally  disdaining  to  sup- 
plicate mercy,  it  is  applauded  as  noble — as  dying  like 
statesmen  and  philosophers.  But  when  the  Indian,  with 
far  more  to  lose,  and  infinitely  greater  provocation,  sits 
upon  the  green  mound,  beneath  the  canopy  of  heaven,  and 
refuses  to  ask  mercy  of  civilized  fiends,  he  is  stigmatized 
as  dogged,  spiritless,  and  sullen."  "What  a  difiierent 
name  has  greatness,  clothed  in  the  garb  of  Christian  princes 
and  sitting  beneath  spacious  domes,  gorgeous  with  man's 
devices ;  and  greatness,  in  the  simple  garb  of  nature,  des- 
titute, and  alone  in  the  wilderness  !  " 

There  is  nothing  in  the  character  of  Alexander  of 
Macedon — who  "  conquered  the  world,  and  wept  that  he 


■I  7 


Irving. 


KINO   PHILIP. 


27 


ied  ignominy 
i  at  tbe  hand 
>  submission, 
in  their  clis- 
ed  into  their 
in  the  mire." 
ied  the  dawn 
besiegers  and 

;  the  few  who 
jd  rather  than 
g  the  swamps, 
7hen  they  ap- 
Dughs  of  trees 
i  their  bodies 
nd  it  was  pro- 
invaded  Italy, 
bes  and  chairs 
arbarian  con- 
aining  to  sup- 
as  dying  like 
lO  Indian,  with 
[ovocation,  sits 
of  heaven,  and 
is  stigmatized 
at  a  different 
ristian  princes 
lUB  with  man's 
|of  nature,  des- 

1  Alexander  of 
wept  that  he 

■■' '■*'■■" 


had  no  more  to  conquer " — to  compare  with  the  noble 
qualities  of  King  Philip,  of  Mount  Hope ;  and  among 
his  warriors  is  a  long  list  of  brave  men  unrivalled  in  deeds 
of  heroism,  by  any  in  ancient  or  modern  story.  But  in 
what  country,  and  by  whom  were  they  hunted  and  tortured 
and  slain  ?  Who  was  it  that  met  together  to  rejoice  and 
give  thanks  at  every  species  of  cruelty  inflicted  upon  those 
who  were  fighting  for  their  wives  and  their  children,  their 
altars  and  their  God  ?  When  it  is  recorded  that  "  men, 
women,  and  children,  indiscriminately,  were  hewn  down 
and  lay  in  heaps  upon  the  snow,"  it  is  spoken  of  as  doing 
God  service,  because  they  were  nominally  heathen.  "  Be- 
fore the  fight  was  finished,  the  wigwams  were  set  on  fire, 
and  into  these,  hundreds  of  innocent  women  and  children 
had  crowded  themselves  and  perished  in  the  general  con- 
flagration," and  for  this,  thanksgivings  are  sent  up  to 
heaven.  The  head  of  Philip  is  strung  bleeding  upon  a 
pole,  and  exposed  in  the  public  streets ;  but  it  is  not  done 
by  savage  warriors,  and  the  crowd  that  huzzas  at  the  re- 
volting spectacle  assemble  on  the  Sabbath  in  a  Puritan 
church,  to  listen  to  the  gospel  that  proclaims  peace  and 
love  to  all  men.  His  body  is  literally  cut  in  slices  to  be 
distributed  among  the  conquerors,  and  a  Christian  city 
rings  with  acclamations. 

In  speaking  of  this  bloody  contest  one  who  is  most 
eminent  among  the  "  Fathers "  says,  "  Nor  could  they 
cef^se  praying  unto  the  Lord  against  Philip  till  they  had 
prayed  the  bullet  through  his  heart."  "  Two  and  twenty 
Indian  Captains  were  slain  and  brought  down  to  hell  in 
one  day."  "  A  bullet  took  him  in  the  head,  and  sent  his 
cursed  soul  in  a  moment  amongst  the  devils  and  blas- 
phemers in  hell  forever." 

Massa'joit,  the  father  of  Philip,  was  the  true  friend  to 
the  English,  and  when  he  was  about  to  die,  took  his  two 


28 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


'i'r 


J'  : 


■in '' 


sons  Alexander  and  Philip,  and  fondly  commended  them 
to  the  kindness  of  the  new  settlers,  praying  that  the  same 
peace  and  good  will  might  be  between  them,  that  had  ex- 
isted between  him  and  his  white  friends.  Upon  mere 
suspicion,  only  a  little  while  afterwards,  the  elder,  who 
succeeded  his  father  as  ruler  among  his  people,  was  hunted 
in  his  forest  home,  and  dragged  before  a  court,  the  nature 
and  object  of  which  L^  could  not  understand ;  but  the  in- 
dignity which  was  oflFered  him  and  the  treachery  of  those 
who  thus  insulted  him,  so  chafed  his  proud  spirit,  that  a 
fever  was  the  consequence,  of  which  he  died.  And  this  is 
not  all.  The  son  and  wife  of  Philip  were  sold  into 
slavery,  as  were  also  many  otheri]  of  the  Indians  taken 
captive  during  the  colonial  wars.  "  Yes,"  says  a  dis- 
tinguished orator,*  "  they  were  sold  into  slavery, — 
West  Indian  slavery !  an  Indian  princess  and  her  child 
sold  from  the  cocl  breezes  of  Mount  Hope,  from  the  wild 
freedom  of  a  New  England  forest,  to  gasp  under  the  lash, 
beneath  the  blazing  sun  of  the  tropics !  '  Bitter  as  death,' 
aye,  bitter  as  hell !  Is  there  any  thing,  I  do  not  say  in 
the  range  of  humanity, — is  there  any  thing  animated,  that 
would  not. struggle  against  this?  " 

Nor  is  this  indeed  all.  A  kinswoman  of  theirs,  a 
princess  in  her  own  right,  Wet-a-more  of  Pocasset,  was 
pursued  and  harassed  till  she  fell  exhausted  in  the  wilder- 
ness, and  died  of  cold  and  starvation.  There  she  was 
found  by  men  professing  to  be  shocked  at  Indian  bar- 
barity, her  head  severed  from  her  body,  and  carried  bleed- 
ing upon  a  pole  to  be  exposed  in  the  public  highways  of  a 
country,  ruled  by  men  who  have  been  honored  as  saints 
and  martyrs.  *'  Let  me  die  among  my  kindred."  "  Bury 
me  with  my  fathers,"  is  the  prayer  of  every  Indian  heart; 
and  the  most  delicate  and  reverential  kindness  in  their 

♦  Everett. 


11'  lii 


HOSPITALITT. 


29 


imended  them 
that  the  same 
,  that  had  ex- 
Upon  mere 
he  elder,  who 
)le,  was  hunted 
tirt,  the  nature 
id ;  but  the  in- 
chery  of  those 
I  spirit,  that  a 
[.     And  this  is 
vere  sold  into 
Indians  taken 
I,"  says   a  dis- 
ato    slavery, — 
and  her  child 
from  the  wild 
under  the  lash, 
Jitter  as  death,' 
do  not  say  in 
animated,  that 

n  of  theirs,  a 
Pocasset,  was 
1  in  the  wilder- 
There  she  was 
a,t  Indian  bar- 
1  carried  bleed- 
3  highways  of  a 
lorcd  as  saints 
Ired."  "  Bury 
jT  Indian  heart ; 
idness  in  their 


treatment  of  the  bodies  of  the  dead,  was  considered  a  reli- 
gious  duty.  There  wa"  nothing  in  all  their  customs  that 
indicated  a  barbarism  b^  gross  and  revolting  as  these  acts 
which  are  recorded  by  New  England  historians  without  a 
censure,  while  the  lamentations  which  the  Indian  utters  in 
his  grief  at  seeing  his  kindred  dishonored  and  his  religion 
reviled,  are  stigmatized  as  savage  and  fiendish. 

If  all,  or  even  a  few  who  ministered  among  them  in 
holy  things,  had  been  like  Eliot,  who  is  called  "  the  apos- 
tle to  the  Indians,"  and  deserves  to  be  ranked  with  the 
apostles  of  old ;  or  Kirkland,  who  is  endeared  to  the  me- 
mory of  every  Iriquois  who  heard  his  name,  it  could  not 
have  become  a  proverb  or  a  truth  that  civilization  and 
Christianity  wasted  them  away. 

Not  by  one,  but  many,  they  are  unscrupulously  called 
*  dogs,  wolves,  bloodhounds,  demons,  devils  incarnate,  hell- 
hounds, fiends,  monsters,  beasts," — always  considering 
them  inferior  beings,  and  scarcely  allowing  them  to  be  hu- 
man. Yet  one,  who  was  at  that  time  a  captive  among 
them,  represents  them  as  "  kind,  loving,  and  generous," 
and  concerning  this  same  monster  Philip,  records  nothing 
that  should  have  condemned  him  in  the  eyes  of  those  who 
believed  in  wars  aggressive  and  defensive,  and  awarded 
honors  to  heroes,  and  martyrs,  and  conquerors. 

By  the  Governor  of  Jamestown,  a  hand  was  severed 
from  the  arm  of  a  peaceful,  unoffending  Indian,  that  he 
might  be  sent  back  a  terror  to  his  people,  and  through  the 
magnanimity  of  a  daughter  and  King  of  that  same  people, 
that  Colony  was  saved  from  destruction.  It  was  through 
their  love  and  trust  alone  that  Powhatan  and  Pocahontas 
lost  their  forest  dominions. 

Hospitality  was  one  of  the  Indians'  distinguishing  vir- 
tues, and  there  was  no  such  thing  among  them  as  individ- 
ual starvation  or  want.     As  long  as  there  was  a  cup  of 


r  [If 


30 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


m 


I  ■':<'\ 


soup,  it  was  divided.  If  a  friend  or  stranger  called  he  was 
welcome  to  all  their  wigwams  could  furnish,  and  to  offer 
him  food  was  not  a  custom  merely,  for  it  was  a  breach  of 
politeness  for  him  to  refuse  to  eat,  however  full  he  might 
be. 

Because  their  system  was  not  like  ours,  it  does  not 
follow  that  it  was  not  a  system.  We  might  have  looked 
into  a  wigwam  or  lodge,  and  thought  every  thing  in  con- 
fusion; while  to  the  occupants,  there  was  a  place  for 
every  thing  and  every  thing  in  its  place.  Each  had  his 
couch,  which  answered  for  bed  by  night  and  seat  by  day, 
and  no  other  person  would  have  thought  of  appropriating 
it,  any  more  than  a  private  apartment  would  be  thus  ap- 
propriated among  us. 

The  ceremoiies  at  their  festivals  were  as  regular  as 
in  our  churches ;  their  rules  of  war  were  as  well  defined 
as  those  of  Christian  nations,  and  in  their  games  and  ath- 
letic sports,  there  was  a  code  of  honor  which  it  was  dis- 
graceful to  violate ;  their  marriage  vows  were  as  well 
understood,  and  courtesy  as  formally  practised  at  their 
dances. 

T'Ae  nature  of  the  Indian  was  in  all  respects  like  the 
nature  of  people  of  any  other  nation,  and  if  placed  in  the 
same  circumstances  he  exhibited  the  same  passions  and 
vices.  But  in  his  forest  home  there  was  not  the  same 
temptation  to  great  crimes,  or  what  are  usually  termed 
the  lesser  ones  of  slander,  scandal,  and  gossip,  as  exists 
among  civilized  nations. 

They  knew  nothing  of  the  desire  of  gain,  and  there- 
fore were  not  made  selfish  by  the  love  of  hoarding,  and 
there  was  no  temptation  to  steal  where  they  had  all  things 
common ;  and  their  reverence  for  truth  and  fidelity  to  pro- 
mises, may  well  put  all  the  nations  of  Christendom  to 
shame. 


chs 
not 
an 


THE   CHRI?"      J*    AND   V    IAN    CONTRASTED. 


called  he  was 
,  and  to  offer 
3  a  breach  of 
^uU  he  might 

,  it  does  Dot 
have  looked 
hing  in  con- 
a  place  for 
2ach  had  his 
seat  by  day, 
ppropriating 
be  thus  ap- 
is regular  as 
well  defined 
nes  and  ath- 
b  it  was  dis- 
ere  as  well 
ed  at  their 

}ts  like  the 
laced  in  the 
issions  and 
t  the  same 
illy  termed 
p,  as  exists 

and  there- 
irding,  and 
I  all  things 
lity  to  pro- 
tendom  to 


I  have  written  in  Homethiitg  of  tht  ./irit  wb  n  would 
characterize  the  history  written  by  ai  .udian,  t  it  duus 
not  deserve  to  be  called  Indian  partia  y ,  but  ol  v  justice 
and  the  spirit  of  humanity,  or,  if  1  niaj  be  allowed  to 
say  it,  the  spirit  with  which  any  Christian  should  be  able 
to  consider  the  character  and  deeds  of  his  foes.  I  would 
not  derogate  from  the  virtues  of  our  forefathers.  They 
were  at  that  time  unrivalled,  but  the  bigotry  and  super- 
stition of  the  dark  ages  still  lingered  among  them,  and  their 
own  perils  blinded  them  to  the  wickedness  and  cruelty  of 
the  means  they  took  for  defence.  Four,  and  perhaps 
two  centuries  hence,  I  doubt  not,  some  of  our  dogmas  will 
seem  as  unchristian,  as  theirs  seem  to  us ;  and  I  truly 
hope  ere  then  our  wars  will  seem  as  barbarous,  and  the 
fantastic  dress  of  our  soldiers  as  ridiculous,  as  we  have 
been  in  the  habit  of  representing  the  wars  and  wild  drapery 
of  the  Indian  of  the  forest. 

How  long  were  the  Saxon  and  Celt  in  becoming  a 
civilized  and  Christian  people  ?  How  long  since  the  hel- 
met, the  coat  of  mail,  and  the  battle-axe  were  laid  aside  ? 
To  make  himself  more  terrific,  the  Briton  of  the  days  of 
Henry  II.  drew  the  skin  of  a  wild  beast  over  his  armor, 
with  the  head  and  ears  standing  upright,  and  mounted  his 
war-horse  to  go  forth  crying  "  to  arms  ! "  "  death  to  the 
invader  ! "  The  paint  and  the  eagle  plume  of  the  Indian 
warrior  were  scarcely  a  more  barbarous  invention,  nor 
his  war-cry  more  terrible. 

It  is  not  just  to  compare  the  Indian  of  the  fifteenth 
with  the  Christian  of  the  fifteenth  century.  Compare  him 
with  the  barbarian  of  Britain,  of  Bussia,  of  Lapland, 
Kamtschatka  and  Tartary,  and  represent  him  as  truly  as 
these  nations  have  been  represented,  and  he  will  not  suffer 
by  the  comparison. 


m 


32 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


CHAPTER  11. 


NATIONAL    government;    OR,   LONG   HOUSE    OF   THE 
IROQUOIS    LEAGUE. 

Let  us  look  for  a  moment  into  the  Long  House  of  the 
Indian  confederacy,  and  learn  something  of  the  government 
of  a  people,  whom  we  have  been  in  the  habit  of  considering 
ungoverned,  and  utterly  lawless  and  rude. 

In  the  country  which  stretches  from  the  Hudson  to 
Lake  Erie,  and  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Susquehanna, 
there  dwelt  five  separate  nations,  concerning  whose  origin 
we  have  no  knowledge,  and  with  regard  to  whom  all  con- 
jecture is  vain. 

Concerning  themselves  they  can  only  say,  they  grew 
up  out  of  the  ground,  or  sprung  up  like  the  trees  of  the 
forest.  They  cannot  remember  when  they  were  not  as 
the  sand  on  the  sea-shore  for  multitude,  and  when  their 
laws  and  manners  and  customs  were  not  the  same  as  when 
white  people  came  among  them. 

They  had  no  written  language,  and,  of  course,  no  written 
lore ;  and  not  a  trace  of  any  thing  their  fathers  did,  is 
upon  leaf  or  parchment ;  but  by  studying  their  legends 
and  fables,  observing  and  understanding  their  customs,  we 
can  easily  imagine  what  they  were. 

The  Five  Nations,  called  by  the  French,  the  Iroquois, 
date  the  formation  of  the  league  only  a  few  years  before 


ORIGIN   OP   THE    LEAGUE, 


33 


the  white  man  first  landed  upon  their  shores,  ana  it  seems 
to  be  Columbus  to  whom  they  refer  as  the  first  invader. 

They  called  themselves  the  Hodeno-sau-ne,  or  People 
of  the  Long  House ;  implying  that  they  were  one  family, 
sheltered  by  the  same  roof. 

Each  nation  was  divided  into  eight  tribes  or  clans, 
which  bear  the  names  of  Wolf,  Bear,  Beaver,  Turtle, 
Deer,  Snipe,  Heron,  Hawk,  and  at  the  formation  of  the 
League  these  names  were  retained  and  all  their  laws  and 
customs  made  with  reference  to  this  division  into  tribes. 

One  of  the  historical  traditions  concerning  this  unior 
relates  that  just  before  its  formation  there  appeared  a:no  .'? 
them  a  most  extraordinary  and  formidable  wairir  •   "^ 
da-ho,  whose  hair  was  a  mass  of  living  snakes,  • ..  f 
fingers  and  toes  also  terminated  in  living  seipr 
kept  continually  hissing  and  darting  their  forko  '  . 
The  snakes  were  combed  out  of  his  hair  by  •«.  Mohawk 
Sachem,  who  was  afterwards  called  Ha-yo-went-ha,  the 
man  who  combs. 

To-do-da-ho,  was  at  first  opposed  to  the  league,  be- 
cause as  the  Sachems  were  all  to  be  of  equal  power,  he 
would  be  deprived  of  his  importance.  But  to  compensate 
him  for  giving  up  the  absolute  authority  he  had  been  ac- 
customed to  exercise,  the  first  Sachemship  was  named  for 
him,  and  the  title  would  descend  to  all  who  afterwards 
should  fill  the  same  office.  And  though  he  who  inherits 
it  has  really  no  more  power  than  the  others,  the  name  sig- 
nifies to  them  a  combination  of  more  noble  qualities  than 
any  other,  and  is  regarded  with  a  little  more  reverence. 

After  the  fir^t  formation  of  the  league,  there  seems  to 
have  been  little  change  in  the  government  or  any  of  the 
institutions  connected  with  it,  though  it  is  evident  that 
there  was  a  gradual  progression  in  their  domestic  habits, 
and  great  improvements  in  agriculture.  The  journal  of 
2* 


|:  Wl' 


34 


THE     IROQUOIS. 


De  Nonville,  who  was  sent  by  the  French,  as  commander 
of  an  expedition  against  the  Six  Nations  in  1607,  speaks 
of  large  villages,  especially  among  the  Senecas.  In  four 
towns  the  whole  number  of  houses  was  three  hundred  and 
twenty  four,  and  in  these  four  villages  alone  he  destroyed 
one  million  two  hundred  thousand  (1,200,000)  bushels  of 
corn,  besides  great  quaniities  of  beans,  squashes  and  other 
vegetables.  There  was  also  a  large  fort  about  fifteen 
miles  from  the  present  town  of  Rochester,  of  eight  hun- 
dred paces  in  circumference,  situated  on  a  commanding 
height  overlooking  an  extensive  valley. 

Had  the  invasions  of  the  Saxons  been  deferred  a  cen- 
tury longer,  they  might  have  found  a  state  of  civiliza- 
tion in  New  York,  as  advanced  as  the  Spaniards  formed 
among  the  Aztecs.  Their  name,  as  a  united  people,  had 
spread  far  and  wide,  and  awakened  terror  in  many  a 
bosom. 


"  By  far  Mississippi  the  Illini  shrank, 
When  tlie  trail  of  the  tortoise  was  seen  on  the  bank. 
On  the  hills  of  New  England,  the  Pequod  turned  pale, 
When  the  howl  of  the  wolf  swelled  at  night  on  thegalo; 
And  the  Cherokee  shook  in  his  green  smilling  bowers, 
When  the  foot  of  the  bear  stamped  his  carpet  of  flowers." 

As  the  Tuscaroras  had  been  driven  away,  there  were 
only  five  nations  when  tjjc  league  was  formed,  but  the 
exiles  returned,  and  were  admitted  as  one  of  the  families 
of  the  Long  House,  in  1715. 

The  first  council  fire  was  kindled  on  the  north  shore 
of  the  Onondaga  lake  ;  and,  in  the  metaphorical  language 
of  the  Indian,  was  spoken  of  as  always  burning,  to  indi- 
oate  that  the  people  were  ever  acting  in  concert.  The 
Mohawks  dwelt  at  the  eastern  door,  and  kept  watch  to- 
wards the  rising  sun.     The  Senecas  were  the  western  door, 


DESIGN    OF    THE   LEAGUE. 


35 


commander 
1607,  speaks 
IS.  In  four 
lundred  and 
le  destroyed 
I  bushels  of 
GS  and  other 
bout  fifteen 
'  eight  hun- 
commanding 

erred  a  cen- 
of  civiliza- 

a,rds  formed 
people^  had 
in  many  a 


nk. 
pale, 
;he  galo ; 
wers, 
flowers." 

there  were 
led,  but  the 
the  families 

north  shore 
lal  language 
ng,  to  indi- 
[icert.  The 
}t  watoh  to- 
estern  door, 


and  were  expected  to  defend  the  western  lodge,  that  no 
enemy  should  enter  towards  the  setting  sun. 

The  Onondagas  were  in  the  centre,  and  to  them  was 
committed  the  council  brand  and  the  wampum,  and  they 
were  expected  to  understand  the  keeping  of  records  by 
the  wampum  belt. 

There  were  created  fifty  Sachemships,  all  the  Sachems 
being  of  equal  authority — nine  belonging  to  the  Mohawk 
nation,  nine  to  the  Oneida,  fourteen  to  the  Onondaga,  ton 
to  the  Cayuga,  and  eight  to  the  Seneca  nation.  They 
had  no  separate  territory  over  which  each  ruled,  but,  in 
general  council,  attended  to  the  affairs  of  the  whole. 

Formerly,  when  their  numbers  increased  so  that  their 
fields  could  not  furnish  corn,  nor  their  forests  venison  for 
so  great  a  number,  a  band  would  go  forth  in  search  of  new 
hunting-grounds,  and  thus  be  lost  to  their  people  and 
kindred.  But  now  the  v  were  to  belong  to  the  confederacy 
wherever  they  might  roam,  and  continue  their  allegiance. 

It  was  not  for  the  purpose  of  conquering  and  subju- 
gating that  the  new  government  was  formed,  though  they 
hoped,  by  this  means,  better  to  defend  themselves  against 
their  border  enemies,  yet  they  became  very  formidable  in 
their  consolidated  strength,  and  carried  a  war  of  exter- 
mination among  all  the  surrounding  nations,  who  would 
not  join  the  league,  or  leave  them  in  peace. 

*  Nought  in  the  woods  now  their  might  could  oppose, 
Nought  could  withstand  their  confederate  blows — 
Banded  in  strength,  and  united  in  soul, 
They  moved  on  their  course  with  the  cataract's  roll" 

Their  names  were  very  significant,  and  whether  belong- 
ing to  persons  or  places,  were  descriptive  of  something  in 
their  lives  or  national  history. 

To  the  Onondagas  belonged  the  privilege  of  naming 


36 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


■  I  !i  r 


K 


M\ 


the  Sachems,  when  the  league  was  formed,  and  as  these 
names  were  to  descend  to  all  the  Sachems  of  posterity,  it 
was  a  perpetual  honor  to  the  nation.  In  council  they 
were  addressed  as  Ho-de-sau-no-gata — name-bearers. 

Onondaga  signifies  on  the  hills,  as  their  principal  vil- 
lage, at  the  time  they  became  known,  was  upon  an  emi- 
nence overlooking  a  beautiful  country. 

The  Oneidas  were  the  granite  people,  sprung  from  a 
stone,  and  they,  too,  dwelt  upon  a  hill,  from  which  they 
could  look  far  away  through  an  extensive  and  fertile 
valley,  on  the  borders  of  Oneida  lake.  The  stone 
which  was  the  rallying  point  of  the  people,  is  a  great 
boulder,  diflfering  in  geological  formation  from  any  within 
a  hundred  miles.  In  council,  they  came  afterwards  to  be 
called  the  great  tree  people,  from  some  occurrence  in  a 
treaty  beneath  a  big  tree.  The  original  Oneida  stone  may 
be  seen  in  the  cemetery  at  Utica. 

The  first  settlement  of  the  Cayugas  was  at  the  foot 
of  Cayuga  lake,  and  they  were  called  the  people  at  the 
mucky  land.  In  council  they  were  called  the  great-pipe 
people.  The  tradition  concerning  them  is  explanatory  of 
all  Indian  names.  The  ideal  was  seluom  understood  by 
those  who  interpreted  them.  When  it  is  said,  the  man  of 
this  nation  whose  voice  was  first  heard  in  council,  was  in 
the  hcbit  of  smoking  a  great  pipe,  it  is  true,  but  conveys 
nothing  to  us,  that  it  conveys  to  the  Indians.  When  thj 
chiefs  and  sachems  were  all  seated  in  the  council  chamber, 
they  commenced  smoking,  filling  their  pipes  anew  when  a 
speech  was  about  to  be  made,  that  they  might  listen  without 
interruption.  The  Cayuga  had  a  large  pipe,  so  that  his  to- 
bacco lasted  longer  than  that  of  others,  and  he  could,  there- 
fore, longer  attend,  and  wus  better  able  to  concentrate  his 
thoughts ;  to  say  he  was  the  great-pipe  man,  was  the  same 


INDIAN   TRAITS. 


37 


as  sayiug  he  was  more  thoughtful,  and  listening  more  at- 
tentively, he  was  better  able  to  judge. 

The  device  of  the  Mohawks  was  a  flint  and  steely  be- 
cause they  first  proposed  the  formation  of  the  league,  and 
struck  the  first  council  fire.  In  Council  they  were  called 
Da-de-o-ga,  the  people  of  the  two  policies^  because  a 
portion  were  in  favor  of  the  league,  and  a  portion  were 
not. 

The  Senecas  being  at  the  door,  were  called  the  f,rst 
fire ;  the  Cayugas,  the  second  ;  and  those  next  in  order, 
the  third  and  fourth,  on  to  the  Mohawks,  who  were  the 
fifth.  As  they  had  no  cisterns  or  wells,  they  built  their 
habitations  upon  the  borders  of  the  rivers,  near  bubbling 
springs,  and  on  the  shores  of  lakes.  The  boundaries  be- 
tween the  difierent  nations  were  distinctly  defined,  and  in 
their  hunting  excursions  they  confined  themselves  to  their 
own  territory,  whilst  within  the  limits  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  league,  but  without  their  united  borders,  they 
roamed  unrestrained,  and  all  had  equal  liberty  on  the  soil 
of  their  enemies. 

It  seems  a  curious  problem  now,  how  such  a  people 
were  to  be  called  together ;  but  their  runners  were 
almost  as  fleet  of  foot  as  the  deer  in  the  forest,  and  their 
trails  were  the  connecting  links,  not  only  between  village 
and  village,  clans  and  nations,  but  stretched  far  away  to 
the  Mississippi  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the  Atlantic 
ocean  and  the  northern  lakes.  They  were  a  mere  foot- 
path, just  wide  enough  for  one  to  walk  therein^  but  they 
were  sometimes  so  deep  by  the  myriad  footsteps  which 
traversed  them  for  centuries,  that  the  sides  were  several 
inches  deep.  And  these  trails  have  become  the  thorough- 
fare of  our  great  nation.  In  them  the  Indians  wound  along 
beneath  the  mountains  and  through  the  valleys,  carrying  the 
light  canoe  upon  their  shoulders,  in  which  they  skimmed 


38 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


'"•;•'; 


ii''«|.! 


the  broadest  lakes  and  deepest  rivers,  and  were  so  familiar 
with  all  the  connecting  links,  that  the  darkest  recesses  of 
the  forest  were  threaded  as  easily  as  the  streets  of  a  vil- 
lage, and  almost  as  quickly  as  the  fiery  engine  wheels  its 
way  over  the  smooth  iron  pathway.  I  have  heard  a  young 
Indian  say,  that  his  father  had  often  run  from  Lake  Erie 
to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  for  four  or  five  days  at  a  time, 
scarcely  stopping  to  eat  by  the  way.  And  I  have  heard 
an  aged  Indian  say,  that  in  the  days  of  his  youth,  he 
would  run  the  distance  between  certain  boundaries,  which 
must  have  included  forty  miles,  returning  the  same  day, 
and  thought  it  no  great  feat.  Only  a  few  years  ago  there 
was  a  trial  of  speed  between  an  Indian  runner  and  several 
horsemen,  or  their  caparisoned  steeds,  and  the  runner 
left  the  horsemen  far  in  the  rear.  But  it  is  not  by  these 
thoroughfares  alone  that  the  Indian  is  to  be  traced  in  all 
our  borders.  Their  expressive  and  musical  names  arc 
upon  every  hill-side,  in  every  glen ;  in  the  foaming  cata- 
ract and  on  the  bosom  of  the  broad  lake, — from  the  moun- 
tain top  to  the  green  islet  in  the  midst  of  the  waves,  we 
listen  to  their  silvery  voices. 


flii'  • 


It  !% 


"  Ye  say  that  all  have  passed  away, 

The  noble  race  and  brave, 
That  theii'  light  canoes  have  vanished 

From  oflf  the  crested  wave ; 
That  'mid  the  forests  where  they  roamed. 

There  rings  no  hunters'  shout ; 
But  their  name  is  on  your  waters, 

Ye  may  not  wash  it  out. 

Ye  say  tiieir  cone-like  cabins, 
That  clustered  o'er  the  vale, 

Have  disappeared  like  withered  leaves 
Before  the  autumn  gale ; 


COUNCILS. 


39 


0  familiar 
^cesses  of 
3  of  a  vil- 
nrbeels  its 
d  a  youDg 
Liake  Erie 
at  a  time, 
ave  heard 
youth,  he 
ies,  which 
lame  day, 
ago  there 
id  several 
le  runner 
)  by  these 
.ced  in  all 
lames  arc 
ling  cata* 
the  moun- 


(7aves,  we 


But  their  memory  Uveth  on  your  hills, 

Their  baptism  on  you:*  shore, 
Your  ever  living  waters  speak 

Their  dialect  of  yore." 

The  several  nations  held  nearly  the  same  relationship 
to  each  other  and  the  league,  that  the  several  States  do 
to  the  Federal  Government,  and  it  has  been  said  that  they 
gave  to  our  Fathers  the  idea  of  E  Pluribus  XJnum. 

Their  Councils  were  divided  into  three  classes.  The 
Civil  Council  for  the  purpose  of  considering  their  foreign 
relations,  and  transacting  business  upon  foreign  affairs; 
the  Mourning  Council,  which  was  called  upon  the  death 
of  a  Sachem,  to  fill  a  vacancy,  if  one  had  occurred,  or 
confer  upon  a  brave  warrior  the  title  and  office  of  Chief ; 
and  the  Religious  Councils,  convened,  as  the  name  implies, 
for  religious  observances. 

The  chiefs  did  not  ^orm  any  part  of  the  original  corps 
of  officer.^,  buc  were  admitted  afterwards,  and  in  their 
figurative  language  were  styled  the  braces  of  the  Long 
House,  because  a  chieftainship  was  vhe  reward  of  merit, 
and  conferred  upon  those  who  had  "  gained  honor  in  war," 
or  those  who  had  in  some  other  way  earned  distinction, 
and  were  ambitious  of  renown.  And  it  is  recorded  as  a 
curious  fact  in  their  history,  that  all  their  great  orators 
were  among  the  Chiefs.  Except  the  three  of  the  first 
fifty  Sachems,  there  has  never  one  attained  to  any  dis- 
tinction until  Logan,  who  was  the  son  of  a  Cayuga  Chief, 
and  himself  a  Sachem.  The  Sachems  attended  entirely 
to  the  affairs  of  peace,  and  had  not  so  much  to  arouse 
their  enthusiasm,  as  those  who  had  mingled  in  the  excite- 
ments of  war.  No  Sachem  could  be  at  the  same  time  a 
civil  officer  and  a  warrior ;  if  he  took  the  war-path,  he 
laid  aside  for  the  time  his  governmental  duties.     That 


40 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


!»M 


3  iih 


their  League  was  not  instituted  for  the  purpose  of  making 
war,  is  evident  from  the  fact,  that  there  was  no  war  de- 
partment connected  with  the  government.  All  war  ex- 
peditions were  private  enterprises.  The  nations  not  be- 
longing to  the  League  were  considered  enemies,  and  any 
warrior  was  at  liberty  to  form  a  party  and  constitute 
himself  leader  or  captain,  and  go  forth  to  conquer ;  if  he 
was  successful,  he  was  honored  with  a  chief-ship  and  seat 
in  the  Council,  but  no  special  military  power  was  con- 
ferred on  him,  as  the  Indian  Confederacy  seemed  to  have 
as  much  fear  of  military  supremacy  as  our  own  govern- 
ment. 

But  there  was  this  difference  between  their  government 
and  ours — when  the  council  was  not  sitting  there  was  no 
administration  of  affairs.  If  any  thing  happened  in  any 
tribe  or  nation  that  required  the  advice  or  deliberation  of 
the  assembled  Sachems,  a  runner  was  sent  to  the  nation 
nearest,  and  they  sent  a  messenger  to  the  next,  and  .  j  on, 
till  all  had  been  apprised. 

If,  for  instance,  the  Senecas  wished  a  council  called, 
the  Sachems  of  this  nation  convened  and  determined  whe- 
ther the  matter  was  of  sufficient  importance  to  require  a 
council  of  the  Six  Nations.  If  they  concluded  it  was, 
they  sent  a  runner,  with  a  wampum  belt,  to  the  Cayugas. 
The  Cayugas  mformed  the  Onondagas  in  the  same  manner, 
and  they  the  Oneidas,  and  the  Oneidas  the  Mohawks.  If 
it  was  something  which  interested  all,  the  effect  was  like 
an  electric  shock ;  and  not  the  Sachems  and  chiefs  and 
warriors  alone,  but  women  and  little  children  gathered 
around  the  council  fire,  coming  from  the  farthest  limits 
of  their  territory,  heeding  no  t  nl  or  danger  in  their  zeal 
for  the  common  welfare. 

No  message  was  of  any  weight  unless  it  was  accom- 
panied by  the  wampum  belt.     This  originally  consisted  of 


>. 


■'■■;  '  i 


BKLT. 


WAMPUM    AND    CALUMET. 


41 


f 


email  shells,  strung  upon  strings  of  deer-skin.  After  their 
acquaintance  with  the  Dutch  thej  used  manufactured 
wampum^  which  resembled  small  pieces  of  broken  pipe 
stem.  The  belts  consisted  of  several  strings,  woven  to- 
gether, and  were  some  of  them  black  and  some  white. 
The  process  by  which  they  treasured  up  speeches  and 
events  was  a  kind  of  mnemonics,  and  done  entirely  by 
association.  "  This  belt  preserves  my  words,"  was  the 
common  expression  at  the  end  of  every  speech  or  sentence, 
and  each  part  was  associated  with  a  particular  portion  of 
the  belt  or  string  which  was  held  in  the  hand.  When 
messengers  were  sent  from  tribe  to  tribe,  or  nation  to 
nation,  the  wampum  belt  was  the  proof  of  its  genuineness, 
and  without  it  no  messenger  was  heeded.  White  was  the 
emblem  of  peace,  nnd  black  of  war,  or  danger. 

The  calumet  of  peace  is  another  mysterious  symbol 
among  the  Indians,  and  not  less  respected  than  the  sceptre 
of  a  king.  It  is  a  species  of  pipe  of  stone,  with  the  head 
finely  pol'shed,  and  the  quill  two  feet  ajid  a  half  long, 
made  of  a  strong  reed.  The  red  calumets  are  most  es- 
teemed, and  often  trimmed  with  white,  yellow,  and  green 
feathers. 

"  Whilst  high  he  lifted  m  his  hand 
The  sign  cf  peace,  the  calumet ; 
So  sacked  to  the  Indian  soul, 
With  its  stem  of  reed,  and  its  dark  red  bowl, 
Flaunting  with  feathers — white,  yellow,  and  green." 

It  is  the  Jlag  of  truce  among  Indian  nations,  and  a  viola- 
tion of  it  as  disgraceful  among  them  as  an  insult  to  the 
waving  stars  and  stripes  of  the  United  States,  or  the  Lion 
and  the  Unicorn^  when  these  national  emblems  are  borne 
to  the  enemy's  camp  as  a  signal  that  strife  may  cease. 
Smoking  the  calumet  together  was  a  pledge  of  amity, 


I     ! 


42 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


and  was  often  used  as  a  figure  of  speech,  in  the  expression 
of  friendship.  Their  language  is  a  language  of  metaphors, 
and  very  difl&cult  to  be  translated  or  interpreted  into  any 
other,  and  is  to  them  full  of  classical  allusions,  as  every 
important  event  is  transmitted  by  transferring  it  to  some 
person  as  a  name,  or  baptizing  with  it  some  mountain, 
lake,  or  stream. 

No  son  or  daughter  of  any  tribe  was  allowed  to  marry 
a  person  belonging  to  a  tribe  of  the  same  name  in  his  own 
or  any  other  nation.  A  Deer  of  the  Seneca  nation  could 
marry  a  Turtle  of  his  own,  or  of  the  Mohawk  or  Cayuga 
nation,  and  so  of  each  of  the  others.  But  a  Wolf  could 
not  marry  a  Wolf,  or  a  Heron  a  Heron. 

The  children  belonged  to  the  tribe  of  the  mother.  If 
she  was  of  the  Deer  tribe  all  her  children  were  of  the  Deer 
tribe.  They  called  her  mother,  and  also  called  her  sisters 
mother,  and  her  sister's  children,  brothers  and  sisters ;  and 
hence  arose  the  impossibility  of  mar  -ying  in  their  own 
clan.  They  looked  upon  all  belonging  to  it  as  one  family, 
and  a  marriage  within  those  degrees  of  consa?iguinity  was 
as  disgraceful  and  revolting  in  their  eyes  as  a  marriage 
with  us  between  real  brothers  and  sisters. 

The  offices  also.  Sachems,  etc.,  were  inherited  in  the 
line  of  the  mothers.  So  it  will  be  seen  that  the  women 
were  treated  with  quite  as  much  respect  as  among  Christian 
governments,  and  though  they  cultivated  the  fields  and 
were  the  servants  of  men  in  some  respects,  their  toil  was 
very  light,  and  it  is  the  testimony  of  captives  who  have 
resided  a  long  time  among  them,  that  their  lords  were 
uniformly  kind  and  considerate. 

The  emblem  of  power  worn  by  the  Sachem  was  a 
deer^s  antlers,  and  if  in  any  instance  the  women  disapproved 
of  the  election  or  acts  of  a  Sachem,  they  had  the  power  to 
remove  his  horns  and  iotum  him  to  private  life.     Their 


i 


INDIAN    WOMEN. 


48 


expression 
metaphors, 
d  into  any 
s,  as  every 
it  to  some 
mountain, 

i  to  marry 
in  his  own 
ition  could 
or  Cayuga 
Volf  could 

other.  If 
>f  the  Deer 
her  sisters 
isters;  and 
their  own 
3ne  family, 
uinity  was 
marriage 

ted  in  the 
he  women 
;  Christian 

fields  and 
ir  toil  was 

who  have 
ords  were 

em  was  a 
isapproved 
3  power  to 
fe.     Their 


i 


i 


I 


officers  or  runners  from  council  to  council  were  chosen  by 
themselves  and  denominated  women^s  men,  and  by  these 
their  interests  were  always  fully  represented.  If  at  any 
time  they  wished  any  subject  considered,  by  means  of 
their  runners,  they  called  a  council  in  their  clan  ;  if  it  was 
a  matter  of  more  general  interest  there  was  a  council  of 
the  nation,  and  if  the  opinions  of  the  women  or  Sachems 
of  other  nations  were  necessary,  a  grand  council  was  called 
as  readily  to  attend  to  them  as  to  the  interests  of  men. 
Thus  a  way  was  provided  for  them  to  have  a  voice  in  the 
affairs  of  the  nation,  without  endangering  their  womanly 
reserve  or  subjecting  them  to  the  masculine  reproach  of 
publicity,  or  a  desire  to  assume  the  offices  and  powers  of 
men ! 

It  is  not  recorded  that  they  were  more  unreasonable 
than  men,  or  more  disposed  to  disputations,  or  that  they 
ever  abused  their  privileges !  Neither  do  we  find  that 
they  ever  encroached  upon  the  powers  granted  them,  or 
"  meddled  with  that  which  did  not  belong  to  them." 
They  never  manifested  any  desire  to  become  warriors,  or 
Sachems,  or  chiefs ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  planted  corn, 
dressed  deer-skins,  and  worked  wampum  belts  for  centuries 
without  a  murmur,  and  their  pale  sisters  might  more  con- 
tentedly follow  their  example  if  treated  with  the  same 
deference  and  consideration ! 

The  land,  they  said,  belonged  to  the  warriors  who 
defended  it,  and  to  the  women  who  tilled  it,  and  who  were 
also  the  mothers  and  wives  of  the  warriors,  and  if  the 
men  had  not  degraded  themselves  by  intemperance  and 
left  themselves  to  be  bribed  to  act  dishonestly,  and  make 
treaties  contrary  to  the  rules  of  their  people,  and  the 
judgment  of  the  best  men  and  all  the  women,  their  glory 
would  not  have  thus  faded  away ! 


44 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  RELIGION  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

The  council  fire  was  the  watchword  in  Indian  government, 
in  Indian  politics,  and  Indian  life.  Around  it  old  and 
young  rallied  on  all  occasions  of  public  interest,  and  con- 
nected with  it  were  the  most  delightful  associations, 
memories,  and  legends  of  Indian  history. 

Indian  eloquence  has  been  the  theme  of  poet  and  his- 
torian, and  it  was  at  the  council  fire  that  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  orator  was  kindled  ;  here  the  war-song  awoke  its 
echoes ;  here  was  heard 

"  The  sound  of  revelry  by  night," 

when  victory  filled  their  hearts  with  rejoicing ;  and  here 
were  celebrated  their  solemn  feasts. 

When  they  gathered  together,  they  came  over  the 
mountain  and  through  the  valley;  crossed  the  silvery 
lake  and  the  flowing  river ;  listened  to  the  music  of  the 
winds  among  the  forest  boughs,  the  songs  of  the  birds, 
and  the  rippling  of  the  waters ;  and  to  their  quick  impul- 
sive spirits,  all  the  voices  of  nature  were  inspiration. 

The  kindling  of  the  council  fire  was  the  signal  for  the 
display  of  their  eloquence,  when  danger  threatened  from 
their  enemies,  and  their  young  men  panted  for  the  war- 
path ;  and  when  they  returned,  around  its  glowing  embers 


ANECDOTE. 


45 


rernment, 

old  and 

and  con- 

ociations, 

)  and  his- 
Qthusiasm 
awoke  its 


and  here 

over  the 
e  silvery 
ic  of  the 
he  birds, 
5k  impul- 
tion. 

al  for  the 

»ned  from 

the  war- 

ig  embers 


was  chanted  the  mournful  requiem  for  those  who  had 
fallen  in  battle.  Here,  too,  were  oflFered  the  prayers  that 
they  might  bo  taken  to  the  "  happy  home  beyond  the  set- 
ting sun  ;"  and  here,  at  each  returning  festival,  the  song 
of  thanksgiving  went  up  to  heaven,  with  the  burning  in- 
cense, for  the  good  gifts  which  were  showered  upon  the 
people. 

There  was  little  of  what  we  term  social  life  among  the 
Indians.  There  were  among  them  large  villages,  but 
there  were  no  streets.  They  had  houses  and  occupied 
them  during  some  portion  of  the  year,  season  after  season, 
perhaps  for  centuries ;  but  still  they  were  considered,  in 
a  measure,  temporary  abodes.  The  hunters  left  them 
many  months  in  the  winter,  for  their  excursions  into  dis- 
tant forests,  and  the  warriors  were  often  ab.sent  weeks, 
and  sometimes  years.  Often  the  women  accompanied 
them  on  the  war  path  and  the  hunting  tour,  and  they  re- 
turned to  their  homes,  as  to  a  resting-place,  till  they  were 
ready  again  to  go  forth. 

At  the  annual  festivals  they  all  gathered,  and  these 
were  the  seasons  of  sociality,  of  amusement,  and  religious 
instruction. 

Not  very  long  ago,  a  Romish  priest  visited  a  small 
Indian  settlement,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  church. 
The  people  met  together  to  listen  to  the  expounding  of 
the  new  doctrine  and  ceremonies ;  and  after  respectful 
attention  to  all  the  preacher  had  to  say,  an  aged  chief 
arose,  and  deliberately  and  coolly  remarked  that  he  could 
not  see  the  necessity  of  a  change  from  their  Pagan  cus- 
toms and  doctrines  to  these  which  had  been  presented, 
as  they  were  so  similar.  So  they  went  on  in  the  old  way, 
and  the  priest  found  no  foothold  for  his  worse  than  Pagan 
munmieries. 

The  Iroquois  believed  in  a  state  of  future  rewards  and 


46 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


m.  'i 


punishments,  where  the  good  would  be  separated  from 
the  bad ;  but  they  did  not  descend  into  the  depths  of  the 
heart  to  find  sin,  or  trouble  themselves  about  the  motives 
of  action.  Their  code  of  morality,  as  well  as  religious 
creed,  was  very  simple ;  but  all  that  it  required  they  per- 
formed. 

They  believed  in  one  God — Ha-wen-ne  yu — the  Great 
ruler,  and  ascribed  to  Him  all  good.  They  also  believed 
in  the  Evil  One,  who  was  similar  to  the  Devil  of  the 
Bible,  as  they  believed  him  ever  going  about  doing  evil, 
"  seeking  whom  he  might  devour."  But  they  also  supposed 
him  to  possess  creative  powers,  saying  that  as  God  created 
man  and  all  useful  animals,  so  the  Evil-minded  created 
all  monsters,  noxious  reptiles,  and  poisonous  plants.  As 
one  delighted  in  the  virtue  and  happiness  of  his  creatures, 
the  other  delighted  in  discord  and  unbappiness. 

There  have  been  found  individuals  who  worshipped 
visible  and  tangible  objects ;  but,  as  a  people,  theirs  was 
an  entirely  spiritual  religion,  and  in  this  respect,  di£fered 
from  that  of  all  other  heathen  nations. 

The  author  of  "  principalities  and  powers  "  could  not 
more  thoroughly  believe  in  guardian  angels,  and  "  princes 
of  the  powers  of  the  air,"  than  these  simple  people,  who 
never  heard  of  Revelation  ;  and  whose  Theology,  though 
systematic  and  well  defined,  never  caused  them  any  wars 
of  words  or  of  more  "carnal  weapons."  Not  only  they 
themselves,  but  every  thing  in  nature,  that  was  beautiful 
to  the  eye  or  good  for  food,  had  a  protecting  spirit.  There 
was  the  spirit  of  fire,  of  medicine  and  of  water ;  the  spirit 
of  every  herb  and  fruit-bearing  tree ;  the  spirit  of  the 
oak,  the  hemlock  and  the  maple  ;  the  spirit  of  the  black- 
berry, the  blueberry  and  the  whortleberry ;  the  spirit  of 
spearmint,  of  peppermint  and  tobacco  ;  there  was  a  spirit 
at  every  fountain  and  by  every  running  stream,  and  with 


all 

and 

jus 


th( 
th) 
Tl 
no 
tai 
wi 
th 

in 

wl 
it 


'■\i'V 


EMPLOYMENT   IN  HEAVEN. 


47 


ated  from 

)ths  of  the 

le  motives 

religious 

they  per- 

the  Great 
believed 
7il  of  the 
ioing  evil, 

supposed 
3d  created 
d  created 
mts.  As 
creatures, 

orshipped 
heirs  was 
t;  differed 

oould  not 
"  princes 
ople,  who 
Y;  though 
any  wars 
)nly  they 
beautiful 
t.  There 
the  spirit 
it  of  the 
le  black- 
spirit  of 
9  a  spirit 
and  with 


k 


all  they  held  communion — personifying  every  mountain 
and  river  and  lake.  The  poet  has  done  them  no  more  than 
justice  in  the  following  lines :  * 

"  Gwe-u-gwe  the  lovely !   Gwe-u-gwe  the  bright  1 
Our  bosoms  rejoice  in  thy  beautiful  sight : 
Thou  hearest  our  kah-we-yahs,  we  bathe  in  thy  flow, 
And  when  we  are  hungered  thy  bonnties  we  know. 

"  In  peace  now  is  spread  the  pure  plain  of  thy  waves, 
Like  the  maidens  that  cast  their  kind  looks  on  their  Braves ; 
But  wiitn  the  black  tempest  comes  o'er  with  its  sweep, 
Like  the  Braves  on  their  war-path  fierce  rages  thy  deep. 

"  Thou  art  lovely,  when  morning  breaks  forth  from  the  sky. 
Thou  art  lovely  when  noon  hurls  his  darts  from  on  high. 
Thou  art  lovely,  when  sunset  paints  brightly  thy  brow, 
And  in  moonlight  and  starlight  still  lovely  art  thou. 

"  Gwe-u-gwe,  Gwe-u-gwe,  how  sad  would  we  be 
Were  the  gloom  of  our  forests  not  brightened  by  thee ; 
Ha-wen-ne-yu  would  seem  from  his  sons  turned  away, 
Gwe-u-gwe,  Gwe-u-gwe,  then  list  to  our  lay." 

To  any  person  who  has  taken  pains  to  understand 
their  character  or  their  faith  it  must  bo  strikingly  evident 
that  they  were  a  peculiarly  confiding  and  loving  people. 
Their  God  was  emphatically  a  God  of  love.  They  could 
not  easily  comprehend  how  the  Good  Spirit  could  medi- 
tate evil  to  any  of  his  children.  They  looked  up  to  him 
with  confidence,  and  not  only  said  and  believed,  but  felt 
that  he  heard  them  and  granted  their  prayers. 

Some  of  the  Indian  nations  expected  to  hunt  and  fish 
in  the  other  world,  and  engage  in  all  the  occupations 
which  employ  them  in  this.  But  the  Iroquois  divested 
it  more  entirely  of  its  sensual  nature.     All  that  was 

•  Street. 


48 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


',''  h'i 


^        : ; 

n     1 ! 


beautiful  m  this  world  their  imaginations  transferred  to  the 
next ;  and  though  they  believed  they  took  their  bodies,  and 
retained  all  their  faculties,  it  was  for  pleasure  and  never 
for  toil.  There  was  "no  marriage  or  giving  in  marriage," 
but  families  would  recognize  each  other,  and  all  live  in 
one  universal  brotherhood,  whore  neither  dissension  nor 
sorrow  could  enter,  and  where  *.here  was  no  more  death. 
No  people  of  whom  we  have  any  knowledge  are  so 
thoroughly  imbued  with  religious  sentiment,  thoug^  it 
seldom  became  exalted  into  enthusiasm.  It  is  simple 
trust  and  love,  and  pervaded  all  their  thoughts  and 
actions. 

They  had  no  governmental  oflScers  whose  sole  duty  it 
was  to  regulate  public  affairs,  and  no  religious  teachers 
who  devoted  all  their  time  to  the  "  spiritual  concerns  "  of 
the  people.  But  there  were  some  who  had  special  duties 
to  perform  when  they  assembled  for  the^r  festivals,  who 
were  called  "keepers  of  the  faith,"  '>ta  *i  accordance 
with  their  universal  custom,  in  promotir  len,  they,  as 

well  as  men,  were  honored  with  this  office. 

They  opened  the  ceremonies  by  some  appropriate  ad- 
dress, exercised  a  general  suspervision  during  the  celebra- 
tions and  presided  at  the  feasts.  Neither  Sachems,  chiefs, 
warriors,  or  keepers  of  the  faith  received  any  compensa- 
tion for  the  duties  they  performed,  or  wore  any  distin- 
guishing costume. 

.During  the  year  there  were  six  national  festivals,  at 
which  the  ceremonies  and  observances  were  nearly  the 
same ;  and  all  were  of  a  decidedly  religious  character, 
and  so  conducted  that  they  were  looked  forward  to  as 
seasons  of  enjoyment,  in  which  all  had  an  equal  interest. 
There  was  not  a  class  of  religious  and  a  class  of  irreligious 
people — a  portion  who  lifted  their  hearts  to  God  in 
gratitude  and  sung  thanksgivings,  and  another  portion 


MAPLE   FESTIVAL. 


49 


rred  to  the 
)odies,  and 
and  never 
marriage," 
dl  live  in 
jnsion  nor 
ore  deati]. 
je  are  so 
thoug^  it 
is  simple 
>ghts   and 

le  duty  it 
3  teachers 
icerns  "  of 
3ial  duties 
ivals,  who 
ccordance 
Q,  they,  as 

)riate  ad- 
0  celebra- 
as,  chiefs, 
;ompensa- 
ny  distin- 

stivals,  at 
tearly  the 
character, 
ird  to  as 
interest, 
rreligious 
God  in 
portion 


who  "  cared  for  none  of  these  things ; "  they  were  one 
nation,  one  church  and  one  people,  with  the  same  govern- 
ment, the  same  temple  and  the  same  faith.  Yet  there 
were  no  penalties  for  disobedience,  no  excommunications, 
no  anathemas  and  no  proselytirg.  They  were  indeed  a 
strange  people,  and  one  is  sometimes  tempted  to  doubt 
whether  they  were  entirely  human,  but  I  think  it  would 
certainly  be  above,  rather  than  below,  the  human  family  that 
they  would  occupy  a  place !  It  seems  marvellous  to  those 
who  have  been  all  their  lives  attempting  to  unravel  and 
perfect  the  complicated  machinery  of  society^  that  whole 
nations  could  exist  for  centuries  exemplifying  to  perfec- 
tion the  command  of  Paul,  ''  to  learn  in  whatever  state 
they  are  in  to  be  content." 

There  are  many  customs  among  them  now  that  seem 
to  have  been  obtained  from  the  Jesuit  missionaries  who 
with  their  characteristic  zeal  were  so  early  among  them. 
Their  strings  of  wampum  by  which  they  confess  their  sins 
bear  a  great  resemblance  to  the  beads  of  the  Catholics, 
yet  they  seem  to  have  no  idea  of  atonement  for  sin. 

The  first  festival  was  held  in  the  spring  when  the  sap 
began  to  flow,  to  return  thanks  to  the  maple  for  its  sweet 
juices,  and  also  to  God  for  having  given  it  to  his  red 
children.  Dancing  constituted  a  part  of  their  religious 
worship,  and  they  believed  was  particularly  pleasing  to 
Ila-wen-ne-yu.  They  had  thirty-two  distinct  dances,  and 
some  of  them  were  exceedingly  graceful  and  beautiful. 
They  f'anced  all  the  way  through  this  world  and  expected 
to  dance  in  Heaven.  They  were  not  so  much  given  to 
praying  as  to  giving  thap'is,  and  only  one  festival  was  ap- 
pointed for  the  purpose  o;  asking  a  blessing.  This  was  at 
the  planting  season,  to  implore  that  the  "  seed  time  and 
harvest "  be  one  of  prosperity,  and  that  the  earth  might 
yield  abundantly  for  their  food. 


1    i: 


m 


50 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


hi 


The  strawberry  wa^  one  of  their  delicacies,  and  one 
which  they  believed  they  were  to  enjoy  in  another  world. 
Some  of  them  indeed  expected  the  felicity  of  Heaven  to 
consist  in  one  continual  strawberry  feast,  and  this  is  some- 
thing from  which  the  most  cultivated  palate  will  not  re- 
volt, and  is  a  proof  that  there  was  a  great  degree  of  re- 
finement in  their  taste  !  So  they  had  a  special  festival  to 
give  thanks  for  the  Strawberry ;  another  called  the  Green 
Corn  festival,  when  the  corn,  and  beans,  and  squashes 
ripened;  another  after  the  harvest,  and  a  New  Yearns 
fsstival,  which  was  the  great  jubilee  of  the  Six  Nations. 

The  ceremonies  at  each  festival  were  nearly  the  same. 
They  gathered  in  summer  under  the  green  boughs,  and 
first  made  preparations  for  a  great  feast,  which  consisted 
of  all  the  good  things  an  Indian  wife's  storehouse  could 
furnish,  and  which  was  conducted  with  the  ut'nost  order 
and  solemnity. 

After  thu  feast,  the  men  indulged  in  various  sports 
and  games,  which  were  trials  of  strength  and  skill,  and 
then  was  called  the  Council,  at  the  opening  of  which,  a 
speech  was  made,  of  which  the  following  is  a  specimen. 

"  Friends  and  relatives : — The  sun,  the  ruler  of  the 
day,  is  high  in  his  path,  and  we  must  hasten  to  do  our  duty. 
We  are  assembled  to  observe  an  ancient  custom.  It  is  an 
institution  handed  down  by  our  forefathers.  It  was  given 
to  them  by  the  Great  Spirit.  He  has  ever  required  them 
to  return  thanks  for  all  the  blessings  they  receive.  We 
have  always  endeavored  to  live  faithful  to  this  wise  com- 
mand. 

"  Friends  and  relatives  : — It  is  to  perform  this  duty 
that  we  are  this  day  gathered  together.  The  season  when 
the  maple  tree  yields  its  sweet  waters  has  again  returned. 
We  arc  all  thankful  that  it  is  so.  We  therefore  expeot 
all  to  join  in  one  general  thanksgiving  to  the  Maple.     We 


THANKS   TO   TJIE    GREAT    SPIRIT. 


m 


les,  and  one 
other  world. 
Heaven  to 
this  is  some- 
will  not  re- 
egree  of  re- 
il  festival  to 
d  the  Green 
id  squashes 
S^ew  Year's 
c  Nations. 
\y  the  same, 
boughs,  and 
;h  consisted 
shouse  could 
t'nost  order 

rious  sports 
d  skill,  and 
of  which,  a 
pecimen. 
•uler  of  the 
do  our  duty, 
m.  It  is  an 
[t  was  given 
uired  them 
jceive.  We 
s  wise  oom- 

(1  this  duty 
season  when 
in  returned, 
ifore  eicpect 
^aple.    We 


i 


also  expect  you  to  join  in  a  thanksgiving  to  the  Great 
Spirit  who  has  wisely  made  this  tree  for  the  good  of  man. 
We  hope  and  expect  order  and  harmony  will  prevail. 

"  Friends  and  relatives  : — We  are  gratified  to  see  so 
many  here,  and  we  thank  you  that  you  have  all  thought 
well  of  this  matter.  We  thank  the  Great  Spirit  that  he 
has  been  so  kind  to  many  of  us  in  sparing  our  lives  to 
participate  in  the  festivities  of  the  season." 

During  the  session  of  the  council,  several  similar  ad- 
dresses were  made,  accompanied  by  advice,  intended  to  in- 
spire them  with  a  desire  to  live  as  they  knew  would  be 
pleasing  to  the  Great  Spirit ;  when  the  services  of  the  day 
were  closed  with  a  dance,  called  the  Great  Father  da  nee 
"  which  ^as  very  spirited  and  beautiful : "  for  this  there  was 
a  peculiar  costume  prescribed,  and  in  it  all  joined.  After 
this  followed  other  dances,  and  then  a  thanksgiving  ad- 
dress to  the  Great  Spirit,  during  which,  they  continually 
threw  tobacco  upon  the  fire,  that  their  words  might  as- 
cend to  Heaven  upon  the  incense.  It  was  only  when  ad- 
dressing the  Great  Spirit  directly  that  they  used  ncense. 

"  Great  Spirit,  who  dwellest  above,  listen  now  to  the 
words  of  thy  people  here  assembled.  The  smoke  of  our 
offering  arises.  Give  kind  attention  to  our  words  as  they 
arise  to  Thee  in  the  smoke.  We  thank  Thee  for  this  re- 
turn of  the  planting  season.  Give  to  us  a  good  season 
that  our  crops  may  be  plentiful. 

"  Continue  to  listen,  for  the  smoke  yet  arises  (throw- 
ing on  Tobacco).  Preserve  us  from  all  pestilential  dis- 
eases. Give  strength  to  us  that  w  ^ay  not  fall.  Pre- 
serve our  old  men  among  js,  and  proteuo  the  young.  Help 
us  to  celebrate  with  feeling  the  ceremonies  of  the  season. 
Guide  the  minds  of  thy  people  that  they  may  remember 
Thee  in  all  their  actions." 


52 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


ii'i 


itl^: 


The  poet  has  rendered  this  prayer  in  the  following 
words :  * 

"  Mighty,  mighty,  Ha  ^  in-ne-yu,  Spirit,  pure  and  mighty !  hear  us, 
We  thine  own  Ho-de-no-sonne,  wilt  thou  be  for  ever  near  us! 
Keep  the  sacred  flame  still  burning  I  guide  our  chase,  our  planting 

cherish. 
Make  our  warrior  hearts  yet  taller  I  let  our  foes  before  us  perish  I 
Kindly  watch  our  waving  harvests !  make  each  Sachem's  wisdom 

deeper  I 
Of  our  old  men  I  of  our  women,  of  our  children  be  the  keeper  I 
Mighty  Ha-wen-ne-yu,  Spirit  pure  and  mighty  hear  us  I 
"We  thine  own  Ho-de-no-sonne,  wilt  thou  be  for  ever  near  us  I 

"  Mighty,  mighty,  Ha-wen-ne-yu,  thou  dost.  Spirit,  purest,  greatest, 
Love  thine  own  Ho-de-no-sonne,  thou  as  well  their  foemen  hatest. 
Panther  3  heart  and  eye  of  eagle,  moose's  foot  and  fox's  cunning. 
Thou  dost  give  our  valiant  people  when  the  war  path's  blood  is 

running! 
But  the  eye  of  owl  in  daylight,  foot  of  turtle,  heart  of  woman, 
Stupid  brain  of  bear  in  winter,  to  our  valiant  people's  foemon; 
Mighty,  holy,  Hah-wen-ne-yu  I  Spirit  pure  and  mighty  1  hear  us. 
We  thine  own  Ho-de-no-sonne,  wilt  thou  be  for  ever  near  us ! 
Yah-hah  for  ever  near  us !  wilt  thou  be  for  ever  near  us ! " 

If  there  was  not  an  abundance  of  rain,  so  that  the 
corn  did  not  unurish  after  it  was  planted,  they  often  called 
another  council,  aud  held  another  festival,  to  pray  for 
rain.  At  this  time  they  addressed  Heno,  the  Thunderer, 
in  whose  power  it  was  to  form  clouds,  and  give  water  to 
refresh  the  earth.  He  was  to  the  Indian  what  Jupiter 
was  to  the  Roman,  and  inspired  him  wiw  the  same  terror. 
He  could  inflict  great  evil,  and  calamities  were  ascribed 
to  his  veogeance.  He  was  subject,  as  were  all  the  lesser 
spirits,  to  Ha-wen-ne-yu,  but  was  yet  very  powerful.  He 
is  represented  in  the  form  of  a  man,  in  the  costume  of  a 
warrior,  with  a  feather  upon  hi&  head,  which,  like  the  wand 


i 


•  Street. 


ADDRESS  TO   HENO. 


53 


following 


y !  hear  us, 

ar  us  I 

ur  planting 

us  perish ! 
m's  wisdom 

keeper  1 

1 

}ar  us  I 

ist,  greatest, 
aen  hatest. 
cunning, 
b*s  blood  is 

i^roman, 
foemen; 
!  hear  us. 
ar  us! 
is!" 

that  the 
'ten  called 

pray  for 
'hunderer, 

water  to 
it  Jupiter 
me  terror. 
i  ascribed 
the  lesser 
irful  He 
;ume  of  a 
I  the  wand 


of  the  fairy,  preserved  him  from  the  influence  of  the  Evil- 
MiNDED,  and  procured  him  whatever  he  desired.  On  his 
back  he  carried  a  basket  filled  with  stones,  which  he  threw 
at  witches  and  evil  spirits,  as  he  rode  through  the  clouds. 
The  Great  Spirit  wap  implored  to  take  care  of  him,  and 
at  every  festival  thanks  were  rendered  to  Heno,  and  sup- 
plications made  for  his  watchful  goodness.  They  called 
J  themselves  his   Grandchildren;    and  if  the   earth   was 

parched,  and  the  plants  were  withering,  they  met  and  laid 
before  him  their  distresses. 

"  Heno,  our  Grandfather,  now  listen  to  the  words  of 
thy  Grandchildren.  We  feel  grieved.  Our  minds  are 
sorely  troubled.  We  fear  our  supporters  will  fail,  and 
bring  famine  upon  us.  We  ask  our  Grandfather  to  come 
and  give  us  rain,  that  the  earth  may  not  dry  up,  and  re- 
fuse to  produce  us  support.  Thy  Grandchildren  all  send 
their  salutations  to  their  Grandfather." 

Fearing  that  some  of  the  people  had  done  wrong,  and 
it  was  for  their  sins  that  the  "  early  and  latter  rains  "  were 
withheld,  they,  at  the  same  time,  prayed  to  the  Great 
Spirit,  throwing  tobacco  upon  the  fire,  that  their  words 
might  reach  his  ear  and  prove  acceptable. 

"Great  Spirit,  listen  to  the  words  of  thy  suffering 
children.  They  come  to  thee  with  pure  minds.  If  they 
have  done  wrong,  they  have  confessed  and  turned  their 
minds.  Be  kind  to  us.  Hear  our  grievances  and  supply 
our  wants.  Direct  that  Heno  may  come  and  give  us  rain^ 
that  our  supporters  may  not  fail,  and  famine  come  to  our 
homes." 

Those  who  have  been  in  the  habit  of  thinking  the  In- 
dians a  godless,  prayerless,  and  perfectly  heathen  race, 
will  read,  with  surprise,  those  outpourings  of  their  hearts 
in  perfect  love  and  trust,  and  their  simple  dependence 
upon  the  Great  Giver  for  all  they  enjoyed.     If  they  did 


54 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


wrong,  ttey  believed  He  would  forgive  them ;  if  they  did 
right,  t'ney  believed  He  approved  and  loved  them.  They 
had  no  Sabbaths,  yet  they  instituted  regular  periods  of 
worship  and  formal  ceremonies.  These  periods  were  in- 
dicated to  them  by  natural  events,  and  they  heeded  the 
voice  of  the  spring-time  and  harvest,  and  "  looked  through 
nature  up  to  Nature's  God." 

At  the  strawberry  festival,  the  feast  consisted  entirely 
of  strawberries,  eaten  with  maple  sugar,  in  bark  trays ; 
and  it  was  at  these  feasts  alone  that  they  all  ate  together, 
and  before  partaking,  they  were  accustomed  to  say  gracCj 
as  devoutly  and  reverentially  as  Christian  people. 

A  popular  poet  has  thus  rendered  the  thanksgiving 
prayer  at  the  strawberry  festival,  "^hich  was  repeated 
at  every  returning  season,  when  they  met  to  express  their 
gratitude  for  this  delicious  fruit :  '*' 

"Earth,  we  thank  thee!  thy  great  frame 
Bears  the  stone  from  whence  we  came ; 
And  the  boundless  sweeping  gloom, 
Of  our  glorious  league  the  Home. 
Thou  the  strawberry's  seed  dost  fold. 
Thou  its  little  roots  dost  hold, 
First  of  all  the  fruits  that  raise 
Gifts  for  us  in  summer  days. 

Thanks,  too,  thanks  we  give  thee,  lowly 

Ha-wen-ne-yu,  great  and  holy  1 

Maker  wise  I  of  all  the  sire — 

Earth  and  water,  air  and  fir.-. 

Water,  thanks '  we  safely  glide, 
On  thy  bosom  long  and  wide ; 
Thou  dost  give  the  strawberey  vino 
Drink  when  hot  the  sunbeams  shine. 
Till  its  leaves  spread  fresh  and  bright. 
And  its  buds  bttrst  forth  in  white. 

•  Street 


pall 
Ym 
and 
boil 
be  I 

fest 


SUCCOTASH. 


65 


f  they  did 
m.  They 
)eriods  of 
Is  -were  in- 
leeded  the 
3d  through 

ed  entirely 
ark  trays; 
e  together, 
say  gracCy 
le. 

anksgiving 
3  repeated 
press  their 


Thauks,  too,  thanks  we  give  thee,  lowly, 
Ha-wen-ne-yu,  great  and  holy  I 
Maker  wise !  of  all  the  sire — 
Earth  and  water,  air  and  fire. 

Air,  we  thank  thee  for  the  breeze, 
Sweeping  off  the  dire  disease  : 
Thou  dost  bring  the  gentle  rains ; 
Thou  dost  cool  our  feverish  veins ; 
Thou  dost  kiss  the  strawberry  flower, 
Till  its  little  wreath  of  snow 
Swings  its  fragrance  to  and  fro. 

Thanks,  too,  thanks  we  give  thee,  lowly 

Ha-wen-ne-yu,  great  and  holy ! 

Maker  wise  I  of  all  the  sire — 

Earth  and  water,  air  and  fire ! 

Fire,  we  thank  thee  for  thy  ball, 
With  its  glory  brightening  all ; 
And  the  blaze  which  warms  our  blood. 
Lights  our  weed,  and  cooks  our  food. 
To  t!  y  glance  the  strawberry  swells, 
With  its  ripening  particles. 
Till  the  fruit  is  at  our  tread. 
In  its  beauty,  rich  and  red. 

Thanks,  too,  thanks  we  give  thee,  lowly, 

Ha-wen-ne-yu,  great  and  holy : 

Maker  wise !  of  all  the  sire — 

Earth  and  water,  air  and  fire !  " 

At  the  green  corn  festival,  the  feast  consisted  princi- 
pally of  succotash,  which  is  supposed  by  many  to  be  a 
Yankee  dish,  but  which  dates  farther  back  than  centuries, 
and  is  purely  Indian,  being  a  soup  of  corn,  and  beans, 
boiled  together.  Any  thing  in  the  way  of  soup  can  scarcely 
be  more  delicious. 

But  the  grand  Indian  jubilee  was  the  New  Year's 
festival,  held  in  the  month  of  February. 


I 


56 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


VT  r;. 


■'f    ^l^i 


!';-■] 


1.-;' 


yP  ■  "^ 


flit 


Im 


This  festival  lasted  nine  days,  and  the  ceremonies  com- 
menced by  two  persons,  generally  of  those  called  Keepers 
of  the  Faith,  making  a  call  at  every  house  morning  and 
evening,  dressed  so  as  to  disguise  the  real  personages. 

They  would  envelope  themselves  in  buflfalo  or  bear- 
skins, fastened  about  their  heads  with  wreaths  of  corn- 
husks,  and  falling  loosely  over  the  body  or  girdled  about 
the  loins.  Their  arms  and  wrists,  too,  were  ornamented 
with  wreaths  of  husks,  and  in  their  hands  they  took  corn 
pounders.  On  entering  a  house  they  knocked  upon  the 
floor  to  command  silence,  and  then  made  a  speech. 

''  Listen,  listen,  listen.  The  ceremonies  which  the 
Great  Spirit  commanded  us  to  perform,  are  about  to  com- 
mence. Prepare  your,  houses.  Clear  away  the  rubbish, 
drive  out  all  evil  animals ;  we  wish  nothing  to  obstruct 
the  coming  observances.  We  enjoin  every  one  to  obey  our 
requirements.  Should  any  of  your  friends  be  taken  sick 
and  die,  we  command  you  not  to  mourn  for  them,  nor  al- 
low any  of  your  friends  to  mourn.  But  lay  the  body 
aside  and  enjoy  the  coming  ceremonies  with  us ;  when  they 
are  over  we  will  mourn  with  you." 

When  the  address  was  finished  they  sang  a  thanks- 
giving song  and  departed,  to  repeat  the  ceremony  in  every 
house. 

And  so  scrupulous  were  they  in  performing  these  cere- 
monies, that  if  a  person  did  die  during  this  festival,  the 
body  was  put  aside,  and  no  evidence  of  sorrow  was  visible 
till  the  end  of  the  nine  days,  when  the  usual  funeral  rites 
were  performed,  and  the  mourning  hymns  were  chanted  as 
if  the  calamity  had  just  occurred. 

In  all  their  religious  festivals  they  had  only  one  sacri- 
fice, and  this  was  at  the  beginning  of  the  year. 

All  white  animals  were  considered  ^nsecrated  to  the 
Great  Spirit,  as  white  was  the  emblem  of  purity  and  faith. 


THANKSGIVING    ADDRESS. 


57 


nies  com- 
l  Keepers 
rning  and 
lages. 
)  or  bear- 
3  of  corn- 
iled  about 
rnamented 
took  corn 
upon  the 

3h. 

crhich  the 
at  to  com- 
e  rubbish, 
0  obstruct 
0  obey  our 
taken  sick 
m,  nor  al- 
the  body 
when  they 

a  thanks- 
y  in  every 

hese  cere- 
stival,  the 
ras  visible 
leral  rites 
hanted  as 

one  sacri- 

;ed  to  the 
and  faith. 


But  dogs  alone  were  sacrified.  On  the  first  day  of  the 
festival  one  was  chosen,  and  sometimes  two, "  without  spot 
or  blemish,"  and  strangled,  carefully  avoiding  shedding 
of  blood  or  breaking  the  bones.  He  was  then  painted 
with  red  spots  and  decorated  with  feathers,  and  around 
his  neck  hung  a  string  of  wampum.  He  was  then  sus- 
pended in  the  air  about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground, 
where  he  remained  till  the  fifth  day,  when  he  was  taken 
down  and  burned  on  an  altar  of  wood.  As  they  did  not 
recognize  any  species  of  atonement,  believing  that  j;ood 
deeds  balanced  the  evil,  this  could  not  have  been  a  sacri- 
fice for  sin,  as  superficial  observers  supposed,  neither  was 
it  a  scape-goat  to  carry  away  the  sins  of  the  people.  Their 
sins  had  nothing  to  do  with  it.  The  dog  was  a  favorite 
animal,  and  they  believed  a  favorite  with  the  Great  Spirit, 
and  therefore  burned  him,  that  his  spirit  might  ascend  to 
heaven  with  their  petitions,  that  they  might  find  favor  in 
the  eyes  of  God. 

As  they  laid  him  upon  the  altar,  the  great  thanks- 
giving address  was  made,  whilst  tobacco  was  continually 
thrown  upon  the  fire  that  their  prayers  might  ascend  upon 
the  clouds  of  smoke,  and  is  curious  as  a  specimen  of  a 
heathen  prayer. 

"  Hail !  hail !  hail !  Listen  now  with  an  open  ear  to 
the  words  of  thy  people,  as  they  ascend  to  thy  dwelling 
in  the  smoke  of  thy  offering.  Look  down  upon  us  bene- 
ficently. 

*•  Continue  to  listen  :  The  united  voice  of  thy  people 
continues  to  ascend  to  thee.  Give  us  power  to  celebrate 
at  all  times  with  zeal  and  fidelity  the  sacred  ceremonies 
which  thou  hast  given  us.  Continue  to  listen :  We  thank 
thee  that  the  lives  of  so  many  of  thy  children  are  spared, 
to  participate  in  these  ceremonies.  Give  to  our  warriors 
and  mothers  strength  to  perform  thy  sacred  ceremonies. 
3* 


m 


58 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


;'  ( 


\l'-^\ 


m 

■'■'M  'in! 


m 


!}M 


We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  preserved  them  pure  unto 
this  day. 

"  We  thank  thee  that  the  lives  of  so  many  of  thy 
children  are  spared  to  participate  in  the  ceremonies  of  this 
occasion. 

"  We  give  thanks  to  our  mother  the  earth  which  sus- 
tains us.  We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  caused  her  to 
yield  so  plentifully  of  her  fruits.  Cause  that  in  the 
coming  season,  she  may  not  withhold  of  her  fulness,  and 
leave  any  to  suflFer  want. 

"We  return  thanks  to  the  rivers  and  streams,  and 
thank  thee  that  thou  hast  supplied  them  with  life,  for  our 
comfort  and  happiness.  Grant  that  this  blessing  may 
continue. 

"  We  return  thanks  to  all  the  herbs  and  plants  of  the 
earth.  We  return  thanks  to  the  three  sisters.  We  return 
thanks  to  the  bushes  and  trees  which  provide  us  with  fruit. 
We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  blest  them  and  made  them 
produce  for  the  good  of  thy  creatures.  We  return  thanks 
to  the  winds,  which  moving  have  banished  all  diseases. 
We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  thus  ordered. 

"We  return  thanks  to  our  grandfather  Heno.  We 
thank  thee  that  thou  hast  provided  the  rain,  to  give  us 
water,  and  to  cause  all  plants  to  grow.  We  ask  thee  to 
continue  these  great  blessings. 

"  We  return  thanks  to  the  moon  and  stars  which  give 
us  light  when  the  sun  has  gone  to  rest.  Continue  to  us 
this  goodness.  We  return  thanks  to  the  sun,  that  he  has 
looked  upon  us  with  a  beneficent  eye.  We  thank  thee, 
that  thou  hast  in  thy  unbounded  wisdom  commanded  the 
sun  to  regulate  the  seasons,  to  dispense  heat  and  cold, 
and  to  watch  over  the  comfort  of  thy  people.  Give  unto 
us  wisdom  that  will  guide  us  in  the  path  of  truth.  Keep 
us  from  all  evil  ways,  that  the  sun  may  never  hide  his 


GUESSING   OF    DREAMS. 


60 


pure  uDto 

any  of  thy 
>nies  of  this 

which  sus- 
iiBed  her  to 
hat  in  the 
'ulness,  and 

;reams,  and 
life,  for  our 
essing  may 

ants  of  the 
We  return 
i  with  fruit, 
made  them 
burn  thanks 
II  diseases. 

Eleno.     We 

to  give  us 

ask  thee  to 

which  give 
itinue  to  us 
that  he  has 
^hank  thee, 
manded  the 
t  and  cold, 

Give  unto 
nth.  Keep 
er  hide  his 


face  from  us  for  shame,  and  leave  us  in  darkness.  Lastly, 
we  return  thanks  to  thee,  our  Creator  and  Ruhr.  In 
thee  are  embodied  all  things.  We  believe  that  thou  canst 
do  no  evil ;  that  thou  doest  all  things  for  our  good  and 
happiness.  Be  kind  to  us,  as  thou  hast  been  to  our  fathers, 
in  times  long  gone  by.  Hearken  unto  our  words  as  they 
have  ascended ;  and  may  they  be  pleasing  to  thee,  our 
Creator,  the  preserver  and  ruler  of  all  things,  visible  and 
invisible." 

All  the  ceremonies  upon  these  festival  days  were  not 
strictly  religious,  but  consisted  of  various  sports  and  pas- 
times for  amusement.  On  one  day  all  the  people  went 
about  mak'ng  calls,  in  little  parties.  One  of  each  group 
carried  a  wooden  shovel,  and  immediately  after  entering 
the  house,  began  to  stir  the  ashes,  and  then  to  scatter  a 
little  upon  t;'e  hearh,  invoking  tne  blessing  of  the  Great 
Spirit  upon  the  household. 

Another  amusement  was  to  form  little  parties  to  go 
about  and  collect  >ri::terials  for  a  f  •  -st.  Each  family  was 
expected  to  contribute  something.  If  the  messengers 
entered  a  house  and  nothing  was  bestowed,  they  were  jus- 
tified in  taking  whatever  they  could,  without,  at  the  time, 
being  discovered.  If  undetected,  they  were  allowed  to 
bear  away  their  treasures ;  but  if  detected,  they  were 
obliged  immediately  to  give  them  up  and  try  again.  A 
feast  was  made  with  the  avails  of  their  begging  and  pur- 
loining, and  a  dance  followed. 

Another  diversion  was  the  guessing  of  dreams.  Some 
person  v'znt  about  from  house  to  house  telling  a  wonderful 
dream  li^i  had  had,  and  requesting  any  one  who  pleased  to 
relate  it.  Whether  those  who  attempted,  guessed  rightly 
or  uot,  the  dreamer  after  a  while  acknowledged  that  the 
true  interpretation  had  been  given,  and  then  he  was  obliged 


60 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


'!!'•< 


lU 


v;r. 


to  pay  a  forfeit,  and  whatever  was  required,  he  cheerfully 
performed,  however  great  the  sacrifice. 

There  was  a  great  variety  of  games,  and  the  design  and 
effect  of  all  their  festivities  was,  in  addition  to  their 
spiritual  improvement,  to  promote  friendly  feeling  and 
healthy  exhilaration ;  and,  in  this,  the  children  of  darkness 
were  certainly  wiser  in  their  generation  than  some  of  the 
children  of  light !  Those  who  thought  it  necessary  to  the 
honor  of  religion  that  all  merriment  should  be  banished 
from  the  domestic  and  social  circle,  might  have  learned 
something  from  the  forest  heathen,  whom  they  were  in  the 
habit  of  pronouncing  utterly  benighted.  The  Catholics  adopt- 
ed the  policy  of  baptizing  paganism,  wherever  they  went. 
Instead  of  requiring  the  heathen  to  give  up  their  national, 
or  religious  ceremonies,  they  engrafted  them  upon  their 
own,  and  thus  removed  all  obstacles  to  their  becoming,  or 
being  called  Christians.  The  Puritans  went  to  the  other 
extreme,  and  would  allow  little  that  bore  the  name  of 
pleasure.  The  pagan  must  renounce  not  only  his  religiofi 
but  his  health,  in  order  to  became  a  faithful  servant  of 
the  Lord.  Every  thing  that  was  natural  was  "  carnal," 
and  thus  religion  became  repulsive,  and,  in  the  eyes  of 
many,  synonymous  with  every  thing  disagreeable.  In  a 
system  which  differed  from  this  they  could  see  no  good 
thing,  and  were  sadly  deficient  in  a  knowledge  of  human 
nature,  and  the  facility  of  becoming  all  things  to  all  men, 
thereby  to  save  some.  In  throwing  off  the  fetters  of  su- 
perstition they  were  scarcely  in  advance  of  the  red  men 
of  the  wilderness.  The  beliefs  of  the  Christian  and  pagan 
in  witches  almost  entirely  coinci(j^cd,  and  the  manner  of 
punishing  them  was  nearly  the  same.  The  stories  of 
ghosts  and  hobgoblins  to  which  I  listened  in  childhood, 
and  which  were  related  in  perfect  good  faith  are  not  less 


.-..{ 


INDIAN   COURTESY. 


61 


ridiculous  or  more  indicative  of  heathen  blindness  than 
those  which  I  hear  in  the  wigwam. 

The  fables,  fairy  tales,  and  rural  sports  of  our  Saxon 
ancestors  have  never  been  recorded  as  evidence  of  their 
inferiority,  or  as  very  heinous  misdemeanors.  Their 
descendants  have  felt  it  to  be  a  duty  to  honor  them,  and 
have  clothed  their  customs  in  the  garb  of  fascination ; 
neither  their  ferocity,  their  barbarism,  nor  their  super- 
stitions have  been  held  up  to  scorn.  The  dark  side  of  the 
picture  has  been  kept  entirely  out  of  view.  Pages  and 
volumes  have  been  devoted  also  by  historians  to  the 
Olympic  and  Pythian  games,  and  the  "crowns  of  the 
victors ;  "  yet  they  involved  no  more  light,  or  knowledge, 
or  skill,  and  far  less  moral  purity  than  the  national  games 
of  the  sons  of  the  forest.  The  Indian  had  no  laurel 
wreaths,  believing  that  to  excel  waH  sufficient ;  but  his 
code  of  honor  was  as  nice  as  that  of  feudal  lords  in  the 
days  of  chivalry,  and  no  Indian  ventured  to  incur  censure 
by  transgressing  the  rules  of  courtesy.  In  their  dances 
it  was  the  custom  for  women  to  choose  their  partners,  and 
no  warrior  thought  of  offering  his  hand  to  a  maiden  till 
she  had  signified  that  it  would  be  agreeable  to  her  ! 

The  Aztecs  were  more  advanced  in  many  respects  than 
the  Iroquois  ;  but  their  worship  was  a  continued  series  of 
bloody  sacrifices,  without  any  of  that  beautiful  spirituality 
which  we  see  in  those  who  drew  near  to  the  Great  Spirit, 
not  only  with  their  lips  but  with  their  hearts,  and  recog- 
nized his  fostering  care  in  all  the  events  of  their  lives. 

The  sacrifice  of  dogs  was  universal  among  all  the  North 
American  Indians ;  but  /or  a  long  time  it  was  alluded  to 
as  a  heathenish  custom,  without  any  attempt  to  understand 
its  import.  Cotton  Mather  speaks  of  it  by  saying,  "  That 
the  Indians,  in  their  wars  with  us,  finding  a  sore  incon- 
venience by  our  dogs,  sacrificed  a  djg  to  the  devil,  after 


iff 


62 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


!!:■  I 


W: 


I    '' 


!  m 


which  no  English  dog  would  bark  at  an  Indian  for  divers 
months  ensuing."  This  would  imply  that  the  devil  had 
an  interpreter,  in  order  to  understand  the  nature  of  the 
sacrifice,  and  the  manner  of  influencing  the  dog  r  for  the 
author  does  not  give  him  the  credit  of  being  so  thorough 
a  linguist  as  to  understand  himself,  as  appears  by  the 
following  affirmation . — "  Once  finding  that  the  daemons 
in  a  possessed  young  woman  understood  the  Latin, 
Greek,  and  Hebrew  tongues,  my  curiosity  induced  me  to 
make  trial  of  this  Indian  language,  and  the  damans  did 
seem  as  if  they  did  not  understand  it."*  And  as  the  In- 
dians were  considered  little  less  than  demons  themselves, 
a  learned  divine  was  excusable  for  not  attempting  to  ac- 
quaint himself  with  their  language  or  their  character. 

But  there  are  those  rising  up  among  themselves  who 
will  wipe  out  this  stain  upon  their  national  honor,  and 
vindicate  the  faith  and  the  customs  of  their  fathers. 

Since  wars  and  rumors  of  wars  have  ceased,  there  has 
been  some  attempt  to  understand  Indian  character  and 
habits,  and  they  have  been  found  to  be  no  worse,  at  least, 
than  those  of  other  heathen  nations,  who  were  the  inhabi- 
tants of  classic  Greece  and  Home. 

The  Jews  held  three  yearly  festivals,  and  several 
monthly  festivals  ;  and  one  was  in  commemoration  of  the 
first  fruits,  and  another  at  the  in-gathering  of  harvest, 
and  another  at  the  commencement  of  the  year. 

Among  the  Iroquois  there  were  no  particular  cere- 
monies of  purification ;  but  among  some  of  the  Western 
tribes,  there  was  a  custom  which  resembled  that  of  the 
Jews,  when  they  used  scarlet,  and  cedar,  and  hyssop. 

Dogs  were  not  sacrificed  by  the  Jews;  but  these  were 
the  only  domestic  animals  the  Indians  had.     At  the  death 


i 


*  Btoue. 


THE    COUNCIL   FIRE. 


68 


for  divers 
levil  had 
re  of  the 
for  the 
thorough 
by  the 
daemons 
e  Latin^ 
ed  me  to 
tiKyns  did 
IS  the  In- 
emselves, 
ing  to  ao- 
.cter. 

elves  who 
ODor,  and 
srs. 

there  has 
aoter  and 
,  at  least, 
le  inhabi- 

d  several 
on  of  the 
'  imrvest^ 

liar  cere* 
Western 
at  of  the 
ssop. 
hcse  were 
the  death 


of  his  friend,  Patroclus  sacrificed  two  dogs  of  purest 
white,  saying,  "  To  the  gods  the  purest  things  must  be  of- 
fered." The  Greeks  and  Romans  each  had  a  festival, 
which  lasted  nine  days,  the  ceremonies  of  which  were 
strikingly  similar  to  those  which  attended  the  annual 
thank  oflFerings  which  went  up  in  the  forest  and  on  the 
prairie,  by  the  lake  and  the  streamlet  in  the  American 
wilderness.  But  when  we  read  that  the  Indian  orna- 
mented himself  with  the  husks  of  his  favorite  zea-maize, 
and  went  from  house  to  house  with  a  basket  to  gather  of- 
ferings from  the  people,  we  call  it  heathenish  and  barbar- 
ous, while  the  story  of  Ceres,  the  goddess  of  corn,  whose 
head  was  ornamented  with  sheafs,  and  who  held  in  her 
hand  a  hoe  and  basket,  is  picturesque  and  beautiful ! 

To  make  dancing  a  part  of  a  religious  festival,  is,  among 
Indians,  irreverent  and  grovelling.  While  we  are  taught 
to  read,  with  pious  emotion,  how  Miriam  and  her  maidens 
went  out  with  timbrels  and  dances  to  celebrate  the  over- 
throw of  the  Egyptians,  and  the  women  of  all  the  cities 
of  Israel  came  forth  singing  and  dancing,  and  exclaimed, 
"  Saul  hath  slain  his  thousands,  and  David  his  tens  of 
thousands,"  and  David,  the  man  after  God's  own  heart, 
"  danced  before  the  Lord." 

The  sacred  fire  in  the  temple  of  Vesta  was  kept  ever 
burning,  and  the  Homans  looked  upon  the  extinguishing 
of  the  vestal  flame  as  a  prognostication  of  the  destruction 
of  their  city.  In  all  this  there  is  not  so  much  of  poetry 
or  beauty  or  purity  as  dwelt  in  the  bosom  of  those  who 
kindled  the  mysterious  council  fire  in  the  heart  of  the 
forest,  to  burn  for  ever  as  a  symbol  of  the  love  and  patriot- 
ism which  glowed  in  the  bosoms  of  those  who  rallied 
around  it,  and  called  themselves  the  united  people. 

The  nymphs  and  naiads  of  the  woods  of  Greece  and 
Italy  are  the  embellishments  of  every  classic  song,  but 


64 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


II   •  '■• 


they  are  no  more  beautiful  than  the  guardian-spirits  of 
every  tree  and  leaf  and  flower  with  which  the  imagina- 
tion of  the  Indian  peopled  our  own  forest  wilds. 

The  Christian  orator  goes  back  to  those  dark  days  of 
ignorance  and  super  tition  for  the  oMusions  which  are  to 
give  point  and  brilliancy  to  his  metaphors,  and  the  poems 
which  have  for  their  framework  the  grossest  of  all  heathen 
mythology  are  still  the  text-books,  for  years,  of  Christian 
students,  whose  mission  is  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  all  the 
nations  of  the  earth. 

We  read  of  Indian  women  who  were  Keepers  of  the 
Faith^  and  revolt  at  their  incantations  and  unintelligible 
mummeries,  but  our  delicacy  is  thought  in  no  danger  from 
being  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  the  Priestess  of  Ap- 
poUo,  the  oracles  of  Delhi  and  the  feasts  of  Eleusinia. 

The  wealthy  virgins  of  Greece  and  Rome  were  pre- 
sent with  fruits  in  golden  baskets  at  Bacchanalian  revels, 
but  they  have  never  been  held  up  as  monsters,  while  our 
school-books  have  teemed  with  amours  of  gods  and  god- 
desses, such  as  find  no  place  on  the  darkest  pa^^es  of  In- 
dian lore. 

We  listen  to  the  story  of  the  woman  in  the  mom,  who 
is  constantly  employed  in  weaving  a  net,  which  a  cat  ravels 
whenever  she  sleeps,  and  that  the  world  is  to  come  to  an 
end  when  the  net  is  finished,  and  call  it  ridiculous.  Waile 
the  story  of  Penelope  weaving  her  purple  web  by  day  to 
be  unraveled  by  night,  and  thus  prolong  the  absence  of  her 
husband  Ulysses,  who  went  to  the  siege  of  Troy,  is  a  con- 
ception worthy  of  being  expanded  into  a  poem  of  a  thou- 
sand lines,  and  translated  into  all  languages. 

The  Indian  had  no  Cupids,  or  their  representatives,  to 
attend  the  afiairs  of  the  heart,  but  he  had  charms  which 
obtained  the  love  of  any  fair  maiden  whom  he  desired,  and 
charms  which  secured  him  the  love  of  his  wife  during  hit 


\ 


THE  IROQUOIS  NOT  SAVAGES. 


65 


ipirits  of 
imagina- 

:  days  of 
ch  are  to 
le  poems 
[  heathen 
Ohristian 
i;o  all  the 

'.rs  of  the 
telligible 
ger  from 
s  of  Ap- 
sinia. 
rere  pre- 
,n  revels, 
vhile  our 
and  god- 
Bs  of  In- 

on,  who 
at  -avels 
ne  to  an 
J.  While 
y  day  to 
oe  of  her 
is  a  con- 
'  a  thou- 

itives,  to 
\s  which 
red,  and 
iring  his 


long  absence  on  the  war-path  and  hunting  excursions,  and 
made  every  thing  that  he  could  do  bright  and  beautiful  in 
her  eyes.  And  they  had  no  Bacchus  to  preside  at  drunken 
revels,  for  they  "  did  not  tarry  long  at  the  wine,  or  look 
upon  it  when  it  was  red."  But  they  had  spirits  to  pre- 
side at  the  pure  fountain,  where  alone  they  went  to  slake 
their  thirst. 

Human  sacrifices  were  offered  annually  among  the 
Aztecs,  but  never  among  the  Iroquois.  But  even  these 
were  not  entirely  the  result  of  Indian  barbarity.  "  Hu- 
man sacrifices  have  been  practised  by  many  nations,  not 
excepting  the  most  polished  nations  of  antiquity."  "  They 
were  of  frequent  occurrence  among  the  Greeks,  as  every 
school-boy  knows,  and  in  Egypt.  In  Rome  they  were  so 
common  as  to  require  to  be  interdicted  by  an  express  law, 
less  than  a  hundred  years  before  the  Christian  Era, — a  law 
recorded  in  a  very  honest  strain  of  exultation  by  Pliny, 
notwithstanding  which,  traces  of  the  existence  of  the 
practice  may  be  discerned  to  a  much  later  period.  "  • 

Zurita  was  an  eminent  jurist  from  Spain,  who  resided 
nineteen  years  among  the  Aztecs,  and  is  indignant  that 
they  should  be  called  barbarians^  saying,  "  It  is  an  epithet 
which  could  come  from  no  one  who  had  personal  knowl- 
edge of  the  capacity  of  the  people  or  their  institutions, 
and  which  in  some  respects  is  quite  as  well  merited  by 
Europeans." 

If  the  Aztecs  did  not  deserve  the  term  barbarians, 
surely  I  shall  be  thought  just  in  denying  the  term  savage 
to  belong  to  the  Iroquois ;  and  from  ineir  mythology,  if 
nothing  else,  it  is  evident  that  they  were  destitute  neither 
of  genius  nor  of  poetry.  They  were  heathen  and  Pagans, 
but  not  savages,  and  before  wo  boast  that  we  have  attained 

*  Prescott 


66 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


nnto  perfection,  let  us  remember  that  Spiritualists  and 
Mormons  have  arisen  in  the  nineteenth  century,  and  mul- 
titudes have  wended  their  way  to  Salt  Lake  City,  who 
were  trained  in  the  churches  of  New  England  ! 


i 


alists  and 
,  and  nral- 
City,  who 


CHAPTER  IV. 


CUSTOMS  AND  INDIVTDUAL  TRAITS  OF  CHARACTER. 


The  more  I  read,  and  the  better  I  understand  Indian 
history,  the  more  am  I  impressed  with  the  injustice  which 
has  been  done  the  Iroquois,  not  only  in  dispossessing  them 
of  their  inheritance,  but  in  the  estimation  which  has  been 
made  of  their  character.  They  have  been  represented,  as. 
seen  in  the  transition  state,  the  most  unfavorable  possible 
for  judging  them  correctly. 

In  the  chapter  upon  National  Traits  of  Character,  I 
have,  in  two  or  three  instances,  quoted  Washington  Irving, 
and  might  again  allow  his  opinions  to  relieve  my  own 
from  the  charge  of  partiality. 

He  says,  in  speaking  of  this  same  subject,  that  "  the 
current  opinion  of  Indian  character  is  too  apt  to  be  formed 
from  the  miserable  hordes  which  infest  the  frontiers,  and 
hang  on  the  skirts  of  settlements.  These  are  too  com- 
monly composed  of  degenerate  beings,  corrupted  and  en- 
feebled by  the  vices  of  society,  without  being  benefited  by 
its  civilization.  The  proud  independence  which  formed 
the  main  pillar  of  native  virtue,  has  been  shaken  down, 
and  the  whole  moral  fabric  lies  in  ruins.  Their  spirits 
are  humiliated  and  debased  by  a  sense  of  inferiority,  and 
their  native  courage  cowed  and  daunted  by  the  superior 
knowledge  and  power  of  their  enlightened  neighbors. 
Society  has  advanced  upon  them  like  one  of  those  wither- 


■5ar 


i 


li.'.'l 


68 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


ing  airs  that  will  sometimes  breed  desolation  over  a  whole 
region  of  fertility.  It  has  enervated  their  strer^gth,  mul- 
tiplied their  diseases,  and  superinduced  upon  their  original 
barbarity  the  low  vices  of  artificial  life.  It  has  given 
them  a  thousand  superfluous  wants,  while  it  has  diminished 
their  means  of  mere  existence.  It  has  driven  before  it 
the  animals  of  the  chase,  who  fly  from  the  sound  of  the 
azo  and  the  smoke  of  the  settlement,  and  seek  refuge  in 
the  depths  of  remote  forests  and  yet  untrodden  wilds. 
Thus  do  we  often  find  the  Indians  on  our  frontiers  to  be 
mere  wrecks  and  remnants  of  once  powerful  tribes,  who 
have  lingered  in  the  vicinity  of  settlements,  and  sunk 
into  precarious  and  vagabond  existence.  Poverty,  repin- 
ing and  hopeless  poverty,  a  canker  of  the  mind  before  un- 
known to  them,  corrodes  their  spirits,  and  blights  every 
free  and  noble  quality  of  their  natures.  They  loiter  like 
vagrants  about  the  settlements,  among  spacious  dwellings 
replete  with  elaborate  comforts,  which  only  render  them 
sensible  of  the  comparative  wretchedness  of  their  own 
condition.  Luxury  spreads  its  ample  board  before  their 
eyes ;  buL  they  are  excluded  from  the  banquet.  Plenty 
revels  over  the  fields ;  but  they  are  starving  in  the  midst 
of  its  abundance.  The  whole  wilderness  has  blossomed 
into  a  garden ;  but  they  feel  as  reptiles  that  infest  it 
How  different  was  their  state  while  undisputed  lords  of 
the  soil !  Their  wants  were  few,  and  the  means  of  grati- 
fication witLin  their  reach.  They  saw  every  one  around 
them  sharing  the  same  lot,  enduring  the  same  hardships, 
feeding  on  the  same  aliments,  arrayed  in  the  same  rude 
garments. 

"  No  roof  then  rose  that  was  not  open  to  the  home- 
less stranger ;  no  smoke  curled  among  the  trees,  but  he 
was  welcome  to  sit  down  by  its  fire,  and  join  the  hunter 
in  his  repast. 


one 
hue. 


INDIAN   BURIALS. 


69 


"  In  discussing  Indian  character,  writers  have  been  too 
prone  to  indulge  in  vulgar  prejudice  and  passionate  exag- 
geration, instead  of  the  candid  temper  of  true  philosophy. 
They  have  not  sufl&ciently  considered  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances in  which  the  Indians  have  been  placed,  and  the 
peculiar  principles  under  which  they  have  been  educated. 
No  being  acts  more  rigidly  from  rule  than  the  Indian. 
His  whole  conduct  is  regulated  according  to  some  general 
maxims  early  implanted  in  Lis  mind.  The  moral  laws 
which  govern  him  are  few ;  but  he  conforms  to  them  all ; 
the  white  man  abounds  in  laws  of  religion,  morals,  and 
manners,  but  how  many  does  he  violate  ? 

"  In  their  intercourse  with  the  Indians,  the  white  people 
were  continually  trampling  upon  their  religion,  and  their 
sacred  rights.  They  were  expected  to  look  meekly  on 
while  the  grave  was  robbed  of  its  treasures,  and  the  bones 
of  their  fathers  were  left  to  bleach  upon  the  field.  And 
when  exasperated  by  the  brutality  of  their  conquerors,  and 
driven  to  deeds  of  vengeance,  there  was  very  little  appre- 
ciation of  the  motives  which  influenced  them,  and  no  at- 
tempt to  palliate  their  cruelties." 

It  was  their  custom  to  bury  with  the  dead  their  best 
clothing,  and  the  various  implements  they  had  been  in  the 
habit  of  using  whilst  living.  If  it  was  a  warrior  they 
were  preparing  for  burial,  they  placed  his  tomahawk  by 
his  side,  and  his  knife  in  his  shield ;  with  the  hunter,  his 
bow  and  arrow,  and  implements  for  cooking  his  food  ;  with 
the  women,  their  kettles,  and  cooking  apparatus,  and  also 
food  for  all.  Tobacco  was  deposited  in  every  grave,  for 
to  smoke  was  an  Indian's  idea  of  felicity  in  the  body  and 
out  of  it,  and  in  this  there  was  not  so  much  difference  as 
one  might  wish,  between  them  and  gentlemen  of  paler 
hue. 

Among  the  Iroquois,  and  many  other  Indian  nations, 


tk 


'1,1' !i 


■'.■    ■' 


r'  -' 


70 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


it  was  the  custom  to  place  the  dead  upon  scaffolds  built 
for  this  purpose,  from  tree  to  tree,  or  within  a  temporary 
inclosUre,  and  underneath  a  fire  was  kept  burning  for 
several  days. 

They  had  probably  known  instances  of  persons  revi- 
ving after  they  were  supposed  to  be  dead ;  a  ndthis  led  to 
the  conclusion,  that  the  spirit  sometimes  returned  to  ani- 
mate the  body,  after  it  had  once  fled.  If  there  were  no 
signs  of  life  for  ten  days,  the  fire  was  extinguished,  and 
the  body  left  unmolested,  till  decomposition  had  begun  to 
take  place,  when  the  remains  were  buried,  or  as  was  often 
the  case,  kept  in  the  lodge  for  years.  If  they  were 
obliged  to  desert  a  settlement  where  they  had  long  re- 
sided, these  skeletons  were  collected  from  all  the  families, 
and  buried  in  one  common  grave,  with  the  same  ceremo- 
nies as  when  a  single  individual  was  interred. 

They  did  not  suppose  the  spirit  was  instantaneously 
transferred  from  earth  to  heaven,  but  that  it  wandered 
in  aerial  regions  for  many  moons.  In  later  days  they  al- 
low only  ten  days  for  its  flight.  Their  period  of  mourning 
continues  only  whilst  the  spirit  is  wandering ;  as  soon  as 
they  believe  it  has  entered  heaven,  they  commence  re- 
joicing, saying,  there  is  no  longer  cause  for  sorrow,  be- 
cause it  is  now  where  happiness  dwells  for  ever.  Some- 
times a  piteous  wailing  was  kept  up  every  night  for  a  long 
time,  but  it  was  only  their  own  bereavement  that  they  be- 
wailed, as  they  had  no  fear  about  the  fate  of  those  who 
died.  Not  till  they  had  heard  of  Purgatory  from  the 
Jesuits,  or  of  endless  woe  from  Protestants,  did  they  look 
upon  death  with  terror,  or  life  as  any  thing  but  a  blessing. 

They  were  sometimes  in  the  habit  of  addressing  the 
dead,  as  if  they  could  hear.  The  following  are  the  words 
of  a  mother,  as  she  bent  over  her  son,  to  look  for  the  last 
time  upon  his  beloved  face. 


« 


? 


RELIGIOUS   DUTIES. 


71 


Eiffolds  built 
a  temporary 
burning  for 

ersons  revi- 
idthis  led  to 
rned  to  ani- 
jre  were  no 
ruished,  and 
Eld  begun  to 
as  was  often 
•  they  were 
lad  long  re- 
the  families, 
Bjue  ceremo- 

bantaneously 
it  wandered 
ays  they  al- 
of  mourning 
as  soon  as 
mmence   re- 
sorrow,  be- 
^er.     Some- 
ht  for  a  long 
hat  they  be- 
'  those  who 
y  from  the 
id  they  look 
it  a  blessing. 
Iressing  the 
•e  the  words 
for  the  last 


"  My  son,  listen  once  more  to  the  words  of  thy  mother. 
Tho"*:^  wast  brought  into  life  with  hef  pains;  thou  wast 
nourished  with  her  life.  She  has  attempted  to  be  faithful 
in  raising  thee  up.  When  thou  wert  young  she  loved  thee 
as  her  life.  Thy  presence  has  been  a  source  of  great  joy 
to  her.  Upon  thee  she  depended  for  support  and  comfort 
in  her  declining  days.  But  thou  hast  outstripped  her  and 
gone  before.  Our  great  and  wise  Creator  has  ordered  it 
thus.  By  His  will  I  am  left  to  taste  more  of  the  miseries 
of  this  world.  Thy  friends  and  relations  have  gathered 
about  thy  body,  to  look  upon  thee  for  the  last  time.  They 
mourn  as  with  one  mind  thy  departure  from  among  us. 
We  too  have  but  a  few  days  more  and  our  journey  will  be 
ended.  We  part  now,  and  you  are  conveyed  from  our 
sight.  But  we  shall  soon  meet  again,  and  shall  look  upon 
each  other.  Then  we  shall  part  no  more.  Our  Maker 
has  called  thee  to  his  home.     Thither  will  we  follow." 

It  has  been  said  and  written  that  the  Indians  were  in 
the  habit  of  murdering  the  aged  to  get  them  out  of  the 
way.  There  might  have  occurred,  once  in  a  century,  an 
instance  when,  to  relieve  great  suffering,  an  aged  person 
was  put  to  death.  If  they  were  on  a  long  journey,  or  there 
was  great  scarcity,  they  might  do  this  from  pure  kindness 
and  benevolence,  but  not  to  save  themselves  trouble. 

After  the  adoption  of  the  League  of  the  Iroquois,  and 
they  dwelt  together  in  villages,  this  was  one  of  the  duties 
enjoined  by  their  religious  teachers  at  their  festivals — "  It 
is  the  will  of  the  Great  Spirit  that  you  reverence  the  aged, 
even  though  they  bo  helpless  as  infants."  And  also 
"  kindness  to  the  orphan,  and  hospitality  to  all." 

"  If  you  tDic  up  the  clothes  of  an  orphan  child,  the 
Great  Spirit  will  notice  it  and  reward  you  for  it." 

"  To  adopt  orphans,  and  bring  them  up  in  virtuous 
ways,  is  pleasing  to  the  Great  Spirit." 


i 


;ji! 


Iv 


72 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


i 


.'4 
if 

I 


\lh 


"  If  a  strangeip  wanders  about  your  abode,  welcome  him 
to  your  hoL! ..  be  iiospifcable  towards  him,  speak  to  him 
with  kind  words,  and  forget  not  always  to  mention  the 
Great  Spirit." 

Upon  the  opening  of  their  morning  councils,  a  cere- 
mony of  condolence  was  performed,  and  an  appropriate 
speech  delivered  in  memory  of  those  who  had  died  or  been 
slain  in  battle  since  their  last  meeting.  The  ceremonies 
on  these  occasions  were  very  solemn,  and  their  speeches 
full  of  pathos  and  tenderness.  The  funerals  of  chiefsj 
warriors,  and  distinguished  women  were  attended  by  the 
heads  of  tribes,  and  all  their  people ;  and  the  respect  in 
which  they  held  their  women  is  evinced  by  the  honors 
they  paid  them  when  dead,  being  the  same  as  those  they 
bestowed  upon  chiefs  and  warriors. 

Their  lamentations  on  being  driven  far  away  from  the 
graves  of  their  fathers  have  been  the  theme  of  all  his- 
torians and  travellers. 

Said  an  Indian  chief,  in  his  remonstrance  against  the 
treaty  that  was  to  remove  the  remnant  of  the  Six  Nations 
beyond  the  Mississippi,  "  We  cannot  go  to  the  west,  and 
leave  the  graves  of  our  fathers  to  the  care  of  strangers. 
The  unhallowed  clods  would  lie  heavily  upon  our  bosoms 
in  that  distant  land  if  we  should  do  this." 

"  Bury  me  by  my  grandmother,"  said  a  little  boy  of 
seven  years  of  age,  a  few  moments  before  his  death.  "  She 
used  to  be  kind  to  me." 

''  Lay  me  in  the  churchyard  by  my  mother,"  said  a 
little  orphan  girl,  who  had  been  under  the  care  of  the 
missionaries,  when  she  learned  she  could  not  recover. 

"  I  shall  be  sorry  if  we  must  go  far  away  to  the  west," 
said  an  aged  woman,  who  had  seen  eighty  winters,  "  for  I 
had  hoped  to  be  laid  by  my  mother  in  yonder  church- 
yard." 


iloome  him 
ak  to  him 
ention  the 

lis,  a  cere- 
ippropriate 
ed  or  been 
ceremonies 
ir  speeches 

of  chiefS) 
ied  by  the 

respect  in 
the  honors 
those  they 

y  from  the 
of  all  his- 

igainst  the 
ix  Nations 
)  west,  and 
strangers. 
)ur  bosoms 

tie  boy  of 
ith.   "She 

r,"  said  a 
are  of  the 
cover, 
the  west," 
ers,  "  for  I 
er  church- 


INDIAN   VENGEANCE. 


73 


"In  ancient  times  they  had  a  beautiful  custom  of 
capturing  a  bird,  and  freeing  it  over  the  grave  on  the 
evening  of  burial,  to  bear  away  the  spirit  to  its  heavenly 
rest."  And  their  anxiety  to  obtain  the  bodies  of  their 
warriors  slain  in  battle,  and  the  impossibility  of  leaving 
the  aged  and  helpless  to  die  alone  in  the  wilderness,  was 
the  result  of  a  belief  that  the  souls  of  those  who  received 
not  the  burial  rites  wandered  about  restless  and  unhappy. 

It  may  be  easily  imagined  that  a  people  who  so  loved 
their  homes  and  revered  their  fathers'  graves,  would  be- 
come fierce  with  indignation  and  rage,  on  seeing  themselves 
treated  as  without  human  feeling  and  the  sacred  relics  of 
the  dead  ploughed  up  and  scattered  as  indifferently  as  the 
stones,  or  the  bones  of  the  moose  and  the  deer  of  the  forest. 
It  was  this  feeling  which  often  prompted  them  to  acts  of 
hostility,  which  those  who  experienced  them  ascribed  to 
wanton  cruelty  and  barbarity.  An  instance  occurred  in 
New  England,  where  the  grave  of  a  Sachem's  mother  was 
robbed  of  the  skins  which  had  been  placed  there  for  her 
use,  and  the  chieftain  gathered  his  people  together  and  ex- 
horted them  to  revenge.  In  him  it  was  the  promptings 
of  filial  piety,  and  the  dictates  of  his  religion.  He  thus 
speaks : 

"  When  last  the  glorious  light  of  all  the  sky  was  un- 
derneath this  globe,  and  birds  grew  silent,  I  began,  as  my 
custom  is,  to  take  repose.  Before  mine  eyes  were  fast 
closed,  methought  I  saw  a  vision,  at  which  my  spirit  was 
much  troubled,  and  trembling  at  that  doleful  sight  the 
spirit  cried  aloud — '  Behold,  my  son,  whom  I  have  che- 
rished, see  the  breasts  that  gave  thee  suck,  the  hands  that 
lapped  thee  warm,  and  fed  thee  oft.  Canst  thou  forget 
to  take  revenge  of  those  wild  people  who  have  defaced  my 
monuments,  disdaining  our  antiquities  and  honorable  cus- 
toms ?  See  now  the  Sachem's  grave  lies  like  the  common 
4 


74 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


n  ^'-i 


ii?'S";'i 


•Si     I 


-.11 


people,  defaced  by  lui  ignoble  race.  Thy  mother  doth 
complain,  and  implcres  thy  aid  against  those  thievish 
people,  who  have  newly  Intruded  upon  our  land.  If  this 
be  suffered  I  shall  not  rest  quiet  in  my  everlasting  habi- 
tation.' " 

A  tribe  has  been  known  to  visit  the  spot  which  had 
been,  in  former  times,  the  burial  place  of  their  people, 
though  long  deserted,  and  spend  hours  in  silent  medita- 
tion ;  and  not  till  every  hope  had  died  in  their  boKoms,  or 
the  last  drop  of  blood  was  shed,  did  they  leave  the  sod 
which  covered  the  dust  uf  any  of  their  kindred  to  the  foot- 
steps of  the  stranger. 

To  their  hospitality  I  have  often  alluded,  and  there 
are  many  anecdotes  to  illustrate  this  trait  in  their  charac- 
ter. The  selfishness  which  they  continually  saw  in  those 
who  were  greedy  of  gain,  was  something  which  they  could 
not  comprehend. 

In  many  of  their  villages  there  was  a  Stranger's  Home 
— a  house  for  strangers,  where  they  were  placed,  while  the 
old  men  went  about  collecting  skins  for  them  to  sleep 
upon,  and  food  for  them  to  eat,  expecting  no  reward. 

They  called  it  very  rude  for  people  to  stare  at  them, 
as  they  passed  in  the  streets,  and  said  that  they  had  as 
much  curiosity  as  white  people,  but  they  did  not  gratify 
it  by  intruding  upon  them  and  examining  them.  They 
would  sometimes  hide  behind  trees,  in  order  to  look  at 
strangers,  but  never  stood  openly  and  gazed  at  them.  Their 
respectful  attention  to  missionaries  was  often  the  result  of 
their  rules  of  politeness,  as  it  is  a  part  of  the  Indian's 
code,  that  every  person  should  have  a  respectful  hcdring. 
Tl.eir  councils  are  eminent  for  decorum,  and  no  person  is 
interrupted  during  a  speech.  Some  Indians,  after  respect- 
fully listening  to  a  missionary,  thought  they  would  relate 
to  him  some  of  their  legends.     But  the  good  man  could 


f 


mother  doth 
;hose  thievish 
land.  If  this 
irlasting  habi- 

)t  which  had 
their  people, 
lilent  medita- 
3ir  bosoms,  or 
leave  the  sod 
ed  to  the  foot- 
led, and  there 
their  charac- 
saw  in  those 
ich  they  could 

anger's  Home 
ced,  while  the 
bem  to  sleep 
>  reward, 
bare  at  them, 
.t  they  had  as 
d  not  gratify 
them.  They 
ler  to  look  at 
I  them.  Their 
I  the  result  of 
the  Indian's 
tful  hearing. 
no  person  is 
after  respect- 
would  relate 
i  man  could 


! 


j 


V,.'  f 


I 


k'i 


>n^ 


WIGWAM. 


HAHK  CANOK. 


GOOD   FOR    EVIL. 


75 


not  restrain  his  indignation,  and  pronounced  them  foolish 
fables,  while  what  he  told  them  was  sacred  truth.  The 
Indian  was,  in  his  turn,  oiFended,  and  said,  "  We  listen  to 
your  stories.  Why  do  you  not  listen  to  ours  ?  You  are 
not  instructed  in  the  common  rules  of  civility  ! " 

A  hunter,  in  his  wanderings  for  game,  fell  among  the 
back  settlements  of  Virginia,  and  on  account  of  the  incle- 
mency of  the  weather,  sought  refuge  at  the  house  of  a 
planter,  whom  he  met  at  his  door.  He  was  refused  ad- 
mission. Being  both  hungry  and  thirsty,  he  asked  for  a 
bit  of  bread  and  a  cup  of  cold  water.  But  the  answer  to 
every  appeal  was, "  No,  you  shall  have  nothing  here.  Get 
you  gone,  you  Indian  dog?'' 

Some  months  afterwards  this  same  planter  lost  himself 
iu  the  woods,  and  after  a  weary  day  of  wandering,  came 
to  an  Indian  cabin,  into  which  he  was  welcomed.  On  in- 
quiring the  way  and  distance  to  a  settlement,  and  finding 
it  was  too  far  for  him  to  think  of  going  that  night,  he 
asked  if  ho  could  remain.  Very  cordially  the  inmates 
replied  that  ho  was  at  liberty  to  stay,  and  all  they  had 
was  at  his  service.  They  gave  him  food,  they  made  a 
bright  fire  to  cheer  and  warm  him,  and  supplied  him  with 
clean  deerskins  for  his  couch,  and  promised  to  conduct 
him  the  next  day  on  his  journey.  In  the  morning  the 
Indian  hunter  and  the  planter  set  out  together  through 
the  fore?  When  thoy  camo  in  sight  of  tlie  white  man's 
dwelling,  the  hunter,  about  to  leave,  turned  to  his  com- 
panion, and  said,  "  I>o  you  not  know  me  ?"  The  white 
nif  was  struck  with  horror  that  he  had  been  so  long  in 
tlic  power  of  one  whom  he  had  so  inhumanly  treated,  and 
expected  now  to  exporlonce  his  revenge.  But,  on  begin- 
ning to  make  excuses,  the  Indian  interrupted  him,  saying, 
"  When  you  see  poor  Indians  fainting  for  a  cup  of  cold 
water,  don't  say  again,  '  Get  you  gone,  you  Indian  dog,'  " 


!.   f 


76 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


and  turned  back  to  his  hunting  grounds.  Which  best  de- 
served the  appellation,  Christian  ?  and  to  which  will  it  be 
most  likely  to  be  said,  "  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto 
the  least  of  these,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me  ?  " 


W 


'I 


CANNASATEGO 

Was  a  chief  of  the  Onondaga  nation.  Of  him  Dr.  Frank- 
lin tells  the  following  story  : — Conrad  Meyses,  an  inter- 
preter, who  had  been  naturalized  among  the  Indians,  and 
could  speak  several  of  their  dialects,  was  passing  through 
the  country  on  a  governmental  mission,  and  stopped  at  the 
house  of  Cannasatego,  by  whom  he  was  warmly  welcomed. 
Clean  furs  were  spread  for  him  to  sit  upon,  and  venison 
and  succotash  placed  before  him  to  eat.  When  he  was  re- 
freshed, and  had  lighted  his  pipe,  the  chief  conversed  with 
him  cheerfully,  asking  him  concerning  his  health  and  pros- 
perity since  they  had  met,  and  expressing  undiminished 
friendship  for  his  old  acquaintances,  whv>  were  known  to 
both,  till  the  ordinary  topics  were  exhausted,  when  he  re- 
vived conversation  by  asking  concerning  the  customs  of 
white  people,  which  he  could  not  understand. 

"Conrad,"  said  he  "  you  have  lived  long  among  our 
white  neighbors,  and  know  their  customs.  I  have  been 
sometimes  at  Albany,  and  have  observed  that,  once  in 
seven  days  thcj  shut  ap  their  shops,  and  assemble  in  the 
great  Jwuse ;  tell  me  what  it  is  for  ? — what  do  they  do 
there  ? " 

"  They  meet  there,"  said  Conrad,  "  to  hear  and  learn 
good  things." 

"  I  do  not  doubt  they  tell  you  so,"  said  the  Indian. 
"  They  have  often  told  me  the  same ;  but  I  doubt  the 
truth  of  it ;  and  I  will  tell  you  the  reason.  I  went  the 
other  day  to  Albany  to  sell  my  skins,  and  buy  powder, 


HANS   HANSON. 


77 


)h.  hest  de- 
will  it  be 
one  it  unto 


Dr.  Frank- 
i,  an  inter- 
idians,  and 
ig  through 
>ped  at  the 
welcomed, 
nd  venison 
i  he  was  re- 
ersed  with 
I  and  pros- 
iiminished 
known  to 
hen  he  re- 
ustoms  of 

among  our 
have  been 
,t,  once  in 
ible  in  the 
do  they  do 

and  learn 

he  Indian. 

doubt  the 

I  went  the 

ny  powder, 


knives,  blankets,  &c.  I  usually  trade  with  Hans  Hanson, 
but  I  thought  this  time  I  would  try  some  other  merchant. 
I  went  first  to  Hans,  however,  and  asked  him  how  much 
he  would  give  for  beaver.  Ho  said  he  could  not  give  more 
than  four  shillings  a  pound,  but  that  he  could  not  talk 
about  it  then,  as  it  was  the  day  they  shut  their  shops,  and 
went  to  meetmg  to  hear  about  good  things.  I  thought, 
as  I  could  not  do  any  business,  I  might  as  well  go  to  the 
meeting  too.  So  we  went  together.  There  stood  up  a 
man  in  black,  who  began  talking  very  angrily.  I  could 
not  understand  what  he  said ;  but  as  he  looked  very  much 
at  me  and  Hans,  I  thought  he  was  angry  at  seeing  me 
there.  So  I  went  out  and  sat  by  the  door  till  the  meet- 
ing broke  up.  I  thought,  too,  he  said  something  about 
beaver,  and  that  this  might  be  the  subject  of  their  meet- 
ing. When  they  came  out,  I  asked  Hans  if  he  had  not 
concluded  to  give  more  than  four  shillings  p  ;;>ound  ?  "  No," 
said  he,  "  I  cannot  give  so  much ;  I  Cannot  give  more 
than  thrc^  shillings  and  sixpence."  I  then  spoke  to  several 
other  dealer  jj  end  they  all  sang  the  same  song — three  and 
sixpence — three  and  sixpence !  This  made  it  clear  to  me 
that  ^he  purpose  of  the  meeting  was  not  to  learn  good 
thiugs,  but  to  consult  how  to  cheat  Indians,  in  the  price 
of  beaver.  Consider  but  a  little  Conrad,  and  you  will  see 
that  if  they  met  so  often  to  learn  good  things,  they 
would  certainly  have  learned  some  before  this  time.  But 
they  are  sti'l  ignorant.  If  a  white  man,  in  travelling 
through  our  country,  enters  one  of  our  cabins,  we  all 
treat  him  as  I  do  you  ,  we  dry  him  if  he  is  wet ;  we  warm 
him  if  he  is  cold,  and  give  him  meat  and  drink  if  he  is 
hungry  and  thirsty;  we  spread  soft  furs  for  him  to  sleep 
upon,  and  ask  nothing  in  return.  But  if  I  go  into  a 
white  man's  house  at  Albany,  and  ask  for  food  and  drink, 
they  say,  "  Get  out,  you  Indian  dog."    You  see  they  have 


w 


78 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


-.'■«■ 


l;l 


i 


I'i: 


not  yet  learned  those  little  good  things  which  we  need  no 
meetings  to  be  instructed  in,  because  our  mothers  taught 
them  to  us  when  we  were  children ;  and  therefore  it  is 
impossible  their  meetings  should  be  for  any  such  purpose, 
as  they  say,  or  have  any  such  eflFect ;  they  are  only  to  con- 
trive the  cheating  of  Indians  in  the  price  of  beaver ! 

In  shrewdness  and  quickness  of  perception,  the  In- 
dian was  not  at  all  deficient,  and  there  was  a  great  deal 
of  quiet  humor  lurking  in  their  natures. 

An  officer  presented  a  Chief  with  a  medal,  on  one  side 
of  which  President  Washington  was  represented  as  armed 
with  a  sword,  and  on  the  other,  the  Indian  was  burying 
the  hatchet.  The  Chief  saw  at  once  the  idea  conveyed, 
and  sarcastically  asked,  "  Why  does  not  the  President 
also  bury  his  sword?  " 

A  Swedish  minister  having  assembled  several  Chiefs, 
related  to  them  the  principal  facts  on  which  the  Christian 
religion  is  founded — the  eating  of  the  apple — the  coming 
of  Christ  to  make  an  atonement — his  miracles  and  suflfer- 
ings.  When  he  had  finished,  an  Indian  orator  stood  up 
to  thank  him  :  "  What  you  have  told  us,"  said  he,  "  is  all 
very  good.  It  is  indeed  bad  to  eat  apples.  It  is  better 
to  make  them  all  into  cider.  We  are  much  obliged  by 
your  kindness  in  coming  so  far  to  tell  us  these  thingsi  you 
have  heard  from  your  mothers." 

Whatever  may  be  said  of  other  nations,  the  Iroquois 
certainly  considered  it  a  great  stain  upon  their  national 
escutcheon,  to  violate  a  treaty,  and  if  any  nation  belong- 
ing to  tbeir  confederacy  was  guilty  of  this  breach  of  honor, 
it  was  severely  punished.  The  Delawares  were  a  subju- 
gated nation,  and  not  at  liberty  to  make  war  without  the 
knowledge  and  approbation  of  the  confederacy.  A  treaty 
had  been  made  with  a  western  nation,  and  the  Delawares 
invaded  their  territory,  with  a  full  knowledge  that  they 


INDIAN    HONESTY. 


79 


fre  need  no 
era  taught 
jfore  it  is 
ih  purpose, 
nly  to  con- 
saver  ! 
•n,  the  In- 
great  deal 

)n  one  side 

i  as  armed 

ts  burying 

conveyed, 

President 

pal  Chiefs, 
s  Christian 
he  coming 
and  suffer- 
r  stood  up 
he,  "  is  all 
]t  is  better 
obliged  by 
things  you 

e  Iroquois 
r  national 
on  belong- 
!i  of  honor, 
•e  a  subju- 
itbout  the 
A  treaty 
Delawares 
that  they 


were  at  peace  with,  and  under  the  protection  of  the  Iro- 
quois. For  this  they  were  reprimanded,  and  forbidden  in 
future  to  go  to  war  at  all,  and  deprived  of  all  civil  author- 
ity,— in  their  phraseology,  they  made  them  women  !  This 
was  a  great  degradation,  as  war  alone  could  furnish  them 
an  opportunity  to  gain  distinction,  and  distinction  alone 
could  gain  them  a  position  of  honor  in  the  administration 
of  the  government.  They  had  been  a  very  brave  and 
warlike  nation,  but  never  afterwards  recovered  from  this 
humiliation. 

There  is  no  instance  of  the  Six  Nations  having  violated 
a  treaty  that  was  legally  made,  and  which  they  perfectly 
understood.  They  were  faithful  to  their  British  allies, 
and  "  poured  out  their  blood  like  waters,"  and  in  return 
were  deserted  and  left  to  the  mercy  of  their  enemies. 
Not  till  they  saw  the  faithlessness  of  those  whom  they 
had  trusted  and  relied  upon,  did  they  turn  against  them. 

Falsehood  and  evasion  were  no  part  of  the  original 
character  of  Indians  of  any  name,  and  an  instance  of  theft 
was  seldom  known  among  them.  Bars  and  bolts  are  still 
strangers  in  their  settlements,  and  among  the  unchristian- 
ized ;  the  custom  still  prevails  of  placing  the  mortar  pestle 
upon  the  threshold  when  the  family  are  all  absent,  and 
the  famous  locks  that  received  the  prize  at  the  World's 
Fair  could  not  more  effectually  keep  all  intruders  away^ 
than  this  simple  signal.  No  Indian  thought  of  entering 
a  cabin  where  the  mortar  pestle  stood  sentinel ! 

The  food  of  the  Indian  consisted  in  the  flesh  of  ani- 
mals which  were  killed  in  the  chase,  and  the  few  vege- 
tables they  cultivated,  with  corn  or  maize,  which  was  their 
staple  article;  and  of  this  they  have  three  kinds.  The 
white,  red,  ani  white-flint.  If  you  ride  through  an  In- 
dian settlement,  you  will  see  hundreds  of  bushels  of  corn 
hanging  by  the  braided  husks  upon  poles  to  dry.     When 


i 


W' 


80 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


I  .■■!': 


tl 


I-.,'. 


fill        !i 


fit  for  use  it  is  pounded  in  large  stone  or  wooden  mortars, 
and  usually  by  two  women  at  a  time.  The  operation  is 
very  similar  in  appearance  to  the  churning  in  the  old-fash- 
ioned dash-churn  in  New  England.  When  the  meal  is 
sufficiently  fine  to  pass  through  a  coarse  sieve,  it  is  made 
into  small  loaves  of  unleavened  bread^  and  boiled  in  large 
kettles,  containing  a  dozen  loaves  at  a  time.  It  is  very 
palatable  and  healthy.  Hominy  was  also  a  favorite  dish 
with  the  Indians,  and  is  now  so  common  every  where  that 
it  needs  no  description. 

From  the  Indian,  too,  are  obtained  the  knowledge  of 
tobacco,  and  in  the  use  of  this,  "  all  nations  of  every  kin- 
dred, tongue,  and  people,"  have  shown  their  appreciation 
of  Indian  taste  and  refinement.  It  is  strange  that  civil- 
ized people  should  have  so  generally  adopted  their  most 
filthy  and  uncivilized  habit ! 

Maple  sugar  must  have  been  in  use  among  them  for 
centuries,  "  as  is  proved  by  their  festival  to  give  thanks 
to  the  maple."  Beans  and  squashes  grew  wild  all  over 
America,  and  were  rendered  fruitful  by  cultivation  among 
the  Iroquois.  In  the  valley  of  the  Genesee,  the  first 
white  people  who  came,  of  whom  we  have  any  definite 
knowledge,  found  large  orchards,  and  in  some  places  peach 
trees,  which  were  of  Indian  cultivation. 

They  made  a  tea  of  the  fine  green  boughs  of  the  hem- 
lock steeped  in  water,  which  I  have  drank  when  among 
them  in  preference  to  any  other. 

Their  cooking  utensils  were  very  few,  and  housewifery 
occupied  very  little  of  the  Indian  matron's  time.  She 
tilled  the  soil,  and  from  the  simple  manner  of  tilling  it, 
her  labor  was  very  light. 

The  cradle  or  baby-frame,  the  birch  canoe,  and  the 
moccasin  were  the  prettiest  articles  of  Indian  manufacture, 
though  since  their  intercourse  with  white  people  they  have 


3n  mortars, 
peration  is 
le  old-fash- 
he  meal  is 
it  is  made 
ed  in  large 
It  is  very 
7orite  dish 
where  that 

owledge  of 
every  kin- 

ppreciation 
that  civil- 

their  most 

y  them  for 
ive  thanks 
ild  all  over 
ion  among 
,  the  first 
ny  definite 
aces  peach 

f  the  hem- 
ten  among 

ousewifery 
ime.  She 
■  tilling  it, 

and  the 
knufacture, 
they  have 


« 


MtKASlN. 


tf 


I 


pi 

■I 


■fti 


J 


INDIAN    BEAUTY. 


81 


added  an  infinite  variety  of  boxes,  bags,  and  baskets, 
which  they  embroider  both  richly  and  tastefully.  Indeed 
I  know  not  if  the  women  of  any  people  can  excel  them 
in  fancy  work.  Where  any  part  of  their  costume  is 
wrought,  the  devices  are  always  neat,  and  exhibit  great 
skill  in  the  blending  of  colors.  A  full  Indian  dress  is 
very  rich  and  costly,  being  mostly  of  the  finest  broadcloth, 
embroidered  with  beads  around  the  borders,  and  with  or- 
naments of  silver  around  the  neck  and  down  the  front. 
Originally  they  were  clothed  entirely  in  the  skins  of  ani- 
mals, but  the  new  materials  are  made  ei  ic^lv  'n  the  old 

lon.     The  kilt  was  very  much  likp  I'tH'  wj  rn  by  the 

^1  ider,  and  is  richly  embroidered.  The  hggin  was 
f*n  i«u  above  the  knee,  and  fell  loosely  to  the  top  of  the 
uioi;oaBtn,  being  also  deeply  embroidered. 

There  were  six  dances,  at  which  it  was  necessary  to 
wear  a  peculiar  costume.  The  head-dress  of  the  warriors 
was  adorned  with  plumes,  and  his  girdle,  gay  with  many 
colors,  was  thrown  gracefully  over  the  left  shoulder,  tied 
under  the  right  arm  at  the  waist,  and  hung  in  fringes  to 
the  knee. 

The  style  of  beauty  of  the  Indian  women  is  so  different 
from  that  of  the  Eoman  and  Grecian,  Circassian  and 
Saxon,  that  at  first  one  would  scarcely  pronounce  any  of 
them  beautiful.  But,  as  a  people,  I  am  inclined  to  think 
them  better  looking  than  the  Saxon,  though  there  are 
none  among  them  so  beautiful  as  some  among  us. 

Miss  Bremer  describes  one  whom  she  met  on  the 
banks  of  the  Mississippi,  who  might  be  the  type  of  as 
large  a  class  among  Indian  women,  as  a  city  belle  is,  in 
the  throng  in  which  she  moves.  She  says  of  her — "  She 
was  so  brilliant,  and  of  such  unusual  beauty,  that  she 
literally  seemed  to  light  up  the  whole  room  as  she  entered. 
Her  shoulders  were  broad  and  round,  and  her  carriage 
4* 


i^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATSON 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


/. 


1.0 


1.1 


11.25 


121 


■  JO 


1^ 


m  m 


12.2 


I  1^    12-0 

I*    . 


I: 
I 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STMIT 

WIUTII.N.Y.  l4StO 

(7U)  •73-4503 


'^ 


0 


^ 

'■  '1.''' 


m 


Ri  I 


82 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


drooping,  as  is  usual  with  Indian  women,  who  are  early 
accustomed  to  carry  burdens  on  their  backs;  but  the 
beauty  of  the  countenance  was  so  extraordinary,  that  1 
cannot  but  think  that  if  such  a  face  were  to  be  seen  in 
one  of  the  drawing-rooms  of  the  fashionable  world,  it 
would  there  be  regarded  as  the  type  of  a  beauty  hitherto 
unknown.  It  was  the  wild  beauty  of  the  forest,  at  the 
same  time  melancholy  and  splendid.  The  bashful  glow 
in  those  large,  magnificent  eyes,  shaded  by  unusually  long, 
dark  eye-lashes,  cannot  be  described,  nor  yet  the  glance, 
nor  the  splendid  light  of  the  smile,  which  at  times  lit  up 
the  countenance  like  a  flash,  showing  the  loveliest  white 
teeth.  She  was  quite  young,  and  had  been  married  two 
years  to  a  brave  young  warrior,  who,  I  was  told,  was  so 
fond  of  her,  that  he  would  not  allow  her  to  carry  burdens, 
but  always  got  a  horse  for  her  when  she  went  to  the  town. 
Her  name  was  Feather  Cloud." 

There  is  not  the  variety  among  Indian  beauties  that 
exists  among  white  people.  We  have  all  shades,  from  the 
lightest  blonde  to  the  darkest  brunette ;  but  the  shade  is 
nearly  the  same  upon  every  forest  maiden's  face.  The 
hair  is  raven  black,  the  cheeks  are  full,  and  the  eye  like 
jet.  But  there  is  still  opportunity  for  Nature  to  show 
her  skill ;  though  there  may  be  few  so  splendidly  beautiful 
as  Feather  Oloud,  there  are  few  who  may  not  be  called 
comely ;  and  I  have  seen  many  who  might  vie  with  the 
blondes  and  brunettes  of  any  drawing-room. 


nil     0-«      a    '".;»     I' 


■■  '.)'( 


.;  ait, 


,,  I  .1  .j:':- 


m ' 


-!,, 


ho  are  early 
iks;  but  the 
Inary,  that  I 

0  be  seen  in 
►le  world,  it 
Eiuty  hitherto 
forest,  at  the 
bashful  glow 
iusually  long, 
t  the  glance, 

1  times  lit  up 
veliest  white 
married  two 
I  told,  was  so 
arry  burdens, 
( to  the  town. 

beauties  that 
.des,  from  the 
;  the  shade  ia 
s  face.     The 

the  eye  like 
ure  to  show 
idly  beautiful 
not  be  called 

vie  with  the 
■ ,  -J  »-.•• 

;     n*. 

■  J.   '  <  V 

■  i  Ut. 

■    ■;    .i  ■.i.iii 

t.  jf 


I 


CHAPTER  V. 

LOVE,  MUSIC,  AND  POETRY. 

It  has  been  the  conclusion  of  historians  generally,  and  of 
travellers  and  students  almost  universally,  that  the  North 
American  Indians  were  entirely  destitute  of  la  belle  passion 
— that  "  of  the  marvellous  passion  which  originates  in  a 
higher  development  of  the  powers  of  the  human  heart,  and 
is  founded  upon  a  cultivation  of  the  affections  between 
the  sexes,  they  were  entirely  ignorant."  I  shall  not 
attempt  to  refute  learned  historians  or  philosophers,  neither 
will  I  assert  a  different  opinion.  Yet  there  are  many 
among  the  wise  and  thinking  who  say  this  cannot  be. 

In  reading  very  extensively,  and  conversing  with  those 
who  have  lived  m  ny  years  a  forest  life,  I  have  learned 
many  things  which  might  be  cited  to  prove  a  more  pleasant 
theory,  but  they  may  possibly  be  only  exceptions  to  the 
rukj  and  I  shall  therefore  merely  relate  the  facts,  leaving 
my  readers  to  theorize  for  themselves. 

In  the  contents  of  this  chapter  I  have  not  confined 
myself  to  the  Iroquois,  but  roamed  among  all  the  northern 
nations,  and  have  by  no  means  appropriated  all  that  hai 
been  written  and  said  on  the  subject. 

It  is  the  impression  among  all  people  this  side  of  the 
Mediterranean,  that  the  women  of  Turkey  all  live  in 
harems ;  but  our  Minister,  who  hes  just  returned  from  » 


84 


TOE    IROQUOIS. 


m 


i 

M'- 


WiH  ;'i 


four  years'  sojourn  in  Constantinople,  says  he  has  never 
found  in  that  city  a  respectable  Turk  who  had  more  than 
one  wife  !  This  is  the  law  of  God,  and  to  disobey  it  wars 
against  natui'e.  Among  the  Indians,  polygamy  was  some- 
times practised,  but  was  by  no  means  common,  and  was 
ever  disgraceful.  It  is  insisted,  too,  by  their  aged  people, 
that  before  they  were  corrupted  by  their  conquerors,  there 
was  scarcely  any  thing  among  them  which  Christian  prin- 
ciple would  condemn  as  vice. 

To  excel  in  oratory  certainly  requires  a  very  superior 
development,  and  in  this  no  people  excelled  the  Iroquois. 
Love,  in  all  its  purity,  dwells  very  little  among  even 
Christian  people,  and  something  far  worse  than  polygamy 
prevails  in  the  most  cultivated  circles  among  civilized 
nations. 

There  is  not  so  much  of  nature's  nobility  among  the 
peasantry  of  Europe  as  among  -the  forest  Indians ;  yet 
their  capability  of  love  and  the  domestic  affections  is 
not  disputed,  and  it  is  this  alone  which  renders  life 
endurable ;  were  it  not  for  this  they  would  be  desperadoes 
whom  all  the  fetters  of  despotism  could  not  trammel  or 
subdue.  But  they  are  dwellers  in  one  place,  whilst  the 
Indian  is  a  rover,  quite  independent  of  home  and  domestic 
comfort. 

The  manner  in  which  marriages  were  contracted,  made 
it  impossible  that  there  should  be  courtships  or  long  ro- 
mantic love  affairs  among  the  children  of  the  wilderness, 
and  their  habits  of  life  made  social  intercourse  almost  im- 
possible. Young  men  and  maidens,  had  very  little  op. 
portunity  to  become  acquainted,  and  if  there  sprang  up  in 
their  bosoms  a  mutual  attachment,  it  could  not  be  culti- 
vated without  the  consent  of  the  friends  of  both  parties, 
and  so  accustomed  were  they  to  obedience,  that  the 
thought  of  defying  those  who  had  authority  over  them  was 


I 


1 


i 


MATRIMONIAL   NEGOTIATIONS. 


85 


3n,  and  was 


seldom  or  never  indulged.  I  have  smiled,  as  I  have  heard 
an'Indian  youth  speak  of  the  opportunities  he  had  enjoyed 
for  being  married,  in  the  same  way  as  young  women  make 
this  boast  among  us.  And  this  may  be  done  without  com- 
promising the  delicacy  of  those  alluded  to,  as  it  is  not 
supposed  that  the  parties  most  concerned  know  any  thing 
of  the  matter, 

The  grand  nothers,  if  living,  if  not  the  mothers,  and 
when  there  are  no  mothers,  the  aunts,  or  nearest  relatives, 
make  the  propositions.  If  it  is  considered  desirable  that 
a  son,  or  daughter,  marry  the  son  or  daughter  in  a  neigh- 
boring lodge,  a  present  of  some  kind  is  left  at  the  door  in 
a  basket.  This  signifies  to  all  within  that  a  marriage  ne- 
gotiation is  contemplated.  If  it  is  agreeable,  the  basket 
is  brought  in,  and  its  contents  being  accepted,  it  is 
returned  with  a  present  which  indicates  that  the  way  is 
open  to  further  negotiatiojn.  If  the  proposal  is  rejected, 
the  basket  is  left  standing  without  the  door,  and  she  who 
brought  it  comes  after  there  has  been  time  for  deliberation 
and  takes  it  home.  This  is  a  decided  refusal.  If  it  is  re- 
turned replenished,  she  sends  another  present  of  a  differ- 
ent kind,  and  soon  afterwards  enters  herself  and  consults 
with  the  matrons  of  the  family  with  whom  she  seeks  an 
alliance,  and  if  all  are  pleased  that  it  should  take  place) 
each  family  informs  the  son  and  daughter,  for  the  first 
time,  of  the  pending  negotiation.  Then,  if  there  is  no  ob- 
jection, presents  are  again  exchanged,  and  there  is 
another  meeting  of  the  matrons  at  whioh  the  children  are 
present.  Very  serious  advice  is  given  them  concerning 
their  deportment,  and  the  duties  of  husbands  and  wiveS) 
and  then  the  seat  is  prepared  in  the  home  of  the  bride 
and  bridegroom,  which  is  in  future  to  be  exclusively 
theirs,  and  in  the  presence  of  all  they  repair  to  it,  and  are 
hlDceforth  husband  and  wife.     Their  wedding  tour  is  a 


86 


THE    IKOQUOIS. 


I 


'ii" 


0h 


i; 


a-' 

1: 


B||||;l 

Tic';--  1    , 

my- 


■iii|i 
m 


p  . '  « 


hunting  excursion,  or  rather  this  was  the  custom  of  the 
olden  time ;  now  there  is  usually  a  feast,  and  there  is  also 
an  acre  of  land  set  apart  by  the  bride's  friends  as  her 
marriage  portion.  The  father  takes  no  interest  in  the 
matter,  and  is  merely  imformed  of  the  marriage  when  it  is 
consummated.  The  children  are  of  the  tribe  of  the 
mother,  as  are  the  children's  children  to  the  latest  genera- 
tion, and  they  are  also  of  the  same  nation.  If  the  mother 
is  a  Cayuga,  the  children  are  Cayugas ;  and  if  a  Mohawk, 
the  children  are  Mohawks.  If  the  marriage  proves  un- 
happy, the  parties  are  allowed  to  separate,  and  each  is  at 
liberty  to  marry  again.  But  the  mother  has  the  sole 
right  to  the  disposal  of  the  children.  She  keeps  them  all 
if  she  chooses,  and  to  their  father  they  are  ever  mere 
strangers. 

In  regard  to  property,  too,  the  wife  retains  whatever 
belonged  to  her  before  marriage,  distinct  from  her  husband, 
and  can  dispose  of  it  as  she  pleases  without  his  consent, 
and  if  she  separates  from  him,  takes  it  with  her,  and  at 
her  death,  either  before  or  after  separation,  her  children 
inherit  all  she  possessed. 

A  white  man  was  once  remonstrating  with  an  Indian 
upon  allowing  the  matrimonial  bond  to  be  so  lightly 
broken,  when  the  Indian  replied :  "  You  marry  squaw, 
she  know  you  always  keep  her,  so  she  scold,  scold,  scold, 
and  not  cook  your  venison.  I  marry  squaw,  and  she  know 
I  leave  her  if  she  not  good.  So  she  not  scold,  but  cook 
my  venison,  and  always  pleasant,  we  live  long  together." 

There  were  few  penalties  for  any  species  of  crime.  To 
call  a  thing  bad  was  usually  sufficient  in  Indian  communi- 
ties to  deter  from  all  that  chey  considered  evil.  That 
which  we  denounce  as  criminal,  was  not  called  so  by 
them. 

The  staid  and  burly  Englishman,  never  mingled  with 


SOCIAL   AFFECTIONS. 


87 


the  Indians  in  a  way  to  gain  their  confidence  or  learn 
their  true  character.  Their  way  of  life  was  repulsive  to 
him,  but  the  Frenchman  could  become  a  hunter  and  roam 
for  years  in  the  forests,  or  live  in  a  wigwam,  and  conform 
in  all  things  to  Indian  customs  with  the  same  nonchalance 
as  he  could  walk  upon  tapestry  and  recline  upon  divans. 
This  is  the  reason  we  usually  have  so  much  more  pleasing 
pictures  of  Indian  life  from  French  than  English  traders. 
Englishmen  would  not  be  very  likely  to  become  the  con- 
fdants  of  hunters  or  warriors,  or  to  have  an  opportunity 
to  listen  to  the  love  songs  of  Indian  maidens. 

It  is  certainly  wonderful  that  a  people  who  knew 
nothing  of  physiology,  and  had  no  learned  treatises  upon 
physical  degeneracy,  should  have  so  thoroughly  provided 
against  deterioration  by  laws  concerning  intermarriage. 
Their  wigwams  were  built  for  the  convenience  of  several 
families.  A  lodge  was  constructed,  and  when  it  became 
necessary,  additions  were  made  till  it  became  one  or  two 
hundred  feet  in  length,  and  the  abode  of  a  little  multitude, 
but  all  who  occupied  it  were  within  the  degrees  bf  con- 
sanguinity which  forbade  marriage — they  were  brothers 
and  sisters,  and  treated  each  other  as  sucli.  But  dis- 
puting and  wrangling  form  no  part  of  the  nurseries  of  an 
Indian  cabin.  It  is  quite  amazing  how  many  will  live  to- 
gether in  harmony  and  love. 

But  I  have  heard  of  several  instances  of  suicide  for 
disappointed  affection  which  would  compare  well  in  reck- 
lessness and  desperation  with  any  recorded  in  French  or 
Italian  novels.  It  sometimes  happened  that  the  husband 
or  wife  whom  the  friends  chose,  proved  so  unsuitable  that 
the  nuptial  tie  was  broken  almost  as  soon  as  formed.  And 
when  this  happened  I  believe  the  parties  were  left  the 
second  time  to  select  for  themselves.  It  sometimes,  too, 
became  impossible  for  the  friends  to  force  upon  young 


sil 


88 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


Mi 
m 


<i 


J 


If  I,  >: 


v:^  I' 


11: 


T  I'hll 


R^'iHl  '''; 

Pill 


^P'BlMli' 


people  a  yoke  which  they  felt  they  could  never  bear.  And 
often,  as  among  the  aristocratic  circles  of  court  society,  it 
was  worn  a  little  while  and  then  thrown  off  by  one,  leaving 
the  other  disconsolate  and  wretched.  It,  of  course,  most 
frequently  happens  that  the  wife  is  the  deserted  one. 

Mrs.  Hemans  has  immortalized  the  heart-broken  one 
who  perished  in  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  some  years  ago, 
as  related  by  a  missionary.    Her  name  was  Ampatd  Sapa. 

"  The  husband  was  a  successful  hunter,  and  they  lived 
happily  together  many  years,  and  had  two  children,  who 
played  around  their  fire,  and  whom  they  were  glad  to  call 
their  children.  Many  families  by  degrees  settled  around 
them,  and  built  wigwams  near  theirs.  Wishing  to  become 
more  closely  connected  with  them,  they  represented  to  the 
hunter  that  he  ought  to  have  several  wives,  as  by  that 
means  he  would  become  of  more  importance,  and  might 
before  long  be  elected  chief  of  the  tribe." 

He  was  well  pleased  with  this  counsel,  and  privately 
took  a  new  wife ;  but,  in  order  to  bring  her  into  his  wig- 
wam without  displeasing  his  first  wife,  the  mother  of  his 
children,  he  said  to  her : 

"  Thou  knowest  that  I  can  never  love  any  other 
woman  as  tenderly  as  I  love  thee ;  but  I  have  seen  that 
the  labor  of  taking  care  of  me  and  the  children  is  too 
great  for  thee,  and  I  have  therefore  determined  to  take 
another  wife,  who  shall  be  thy  servant ;  but  thou  shalt  be 
the  principal  one  in  the  dwelling." 

The  wife  was  very  much  distressed  when  she  heard 
these  words.  She  prayed  him  to  reflect  on  their  former 
affection — their  happiness  during  many  years — their  chil- 
dren. She  besought  him  not  to  bring  this  second  wife 
into  their  dwelling.  %       ^ 

In  vain.  The  next  evening  the  husband  brought  the 
new  wife  into  his  wigwam.  .  .4  ■-' 


LEGEND  OF  AMPATD  SAPA. 


89 


"  In  the  early  dawn  of  the  following  morning  a  death 
song  was  heard  on  the  Mississippi.  A  young  Indian 
woman  sat  in  a  little  canoe  with  her  two  small  children, 
and  rowed  it  out  into  the  river  in  the  direction  of  the 
falls.  It  was  Ampatd  Sapa.  She  sang  in  lamenting 
tones  the  sorrow  of  her  heart,  of  her  husband's  infidelity, 
and  her  determination  to  die.  Her  friends  heard  the 
song,  and  saw  her  intention,  but  too  late  to  prevent  it. 

"  Her  voice  was  soon  silenced  in  the  roar  of  the  fall. 
The  boat  paused  for  a  moment  on  the  brink  of  the  precipice, 
and  the  next  was  carried  over  it,  and  vanished  in  the 
foaming  deep." 

The  Indians  still  believe  that  in  the  early  dawn,  may 
be  heard  the  lamenting  song,  deploring  the  infidelity  of 
q  the  husband  ;  and  they  fancy  that  at  times  may  be  seen 
the  mother,  with  the  children  clasped  to  her  breast,  in  the 
misty  shapes  which  arise  from  the  fall  around  the  Spirit 
Island. 

"  Roll  on ;  my  warrior's  eye  hath  looked  upon  another's  face, 

And  mine  hath  faded  from  his  soul,  as  fades  a  moonbeam's  trace ; 

My  shadow  comes  not  o'er  his  path,  my  whisper  to  his  dream, 

He  flings  away  the  broken  reed ;  roll  swifter  yet,  thou  stream  I 

The  voice  that  spoke  of  other  days  is  hushed  within  his  breast; 

But  mine  its  lonely  music  haunts,  and  will  not  let  me  rest. 

It  '  i^s  alow  and  mournful  song  of  gladness  that  is  gone; 

I  can  tot  live  without  that  light — Father  of  Waves,  roll  on! 

Will  he  not  miss  the  bounding  step,  that  met  him  from  the  chase  f 

The  heart  of  love  that  made  his  home  an  ever  sunny  place  ? 

The  hand  that  spread  the  hunter's  board,  and  decked  his  couch  of 

yore  f 
He  will  not ! — roll,  dark,  foaming  stream,  on  to  the  better  shore  I 
And  there,  ray  babe  I  though  born,  like  me,  for  woman's  weary  lot ; 
Smile  I  io  that  wasting  of  the  heart ;  my  own  I  leave  thee  not. 
Some  gentle  wind  must  whisper  there,  whose  breath  must  waft 

away, 
The  burden  of  the  heavy  night,  the  sadness  of  the  day." 


I 


!  |i 


90 


THE    lEOQUOIS. 


l!-fe./y 


.i<         W 


The,  words  are  another's,  but  the  sentiment  is  the 
same  as  uttered  by  the  deserted  one,  and  the  same  as 
uttered  by  a  deserted  one  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Erie. 
"I  caivnot  live  longer,"  said  she,  and  swallowed  the 
poisoned  draught  her  own  hands  had  mixed. 

Not  many  specimens  of  Indian  poetry  have  been  pre* 
served,  yet  they  were  ever  singing. 

They  had  a  great  variety  of  tunes,  and  are  said  to 
have  had  a  good  perception  of  time.  They  had  not  the 
regular  intervals  of  tones  and  semitones,  but  a  thousand 
different  sounds  recurring  at  as  many  irregular  intervals. 
The  music  and  the  words  of  their  songs  were  often  im- 
promptUy  but  the  war-scngs  were  in  regular  verses,  and 
sung  as  they  danced. 

The  voice  of  the  Indian  is  very  rich  and  capable  of 
high  cultivation ;  and  as  they  become  Christianized,  this 
part  of  public  worship  is  their  great  delight.  During  the 
August  of  1790  an  Italian  nobleman,  Count  Adriana, 
visited  Mr.  Kirkland,  at  his  mission  station  in  Oneida, 
and  was  particularly  charmed  with  the  musical  powers  of 
the  Indians,  saying — "  Th.e  melody  of  their  music,  and 
the  softness  and  richness  of  their  voices,  he  thought  were 
equal  to  any  he  ever  heard  in  Italy  !  " 

During  the  French  war  a  party  of  Indians  came  from 
the  far  north-west  to  visit  Quebec.  On  their  way  they 
stopped  at  the  Moravian  Mission,  on  the  banks  of  Lake 
Superior,  and  there  a  young  Algonquin  fell  in  love  with  a 
Chippewa  maiden,  who  as  ardently  returned  his  passion. 
As  she  sailed  away  in  her  light  canoe  she  uttered  her  love 
and  sadness  in  the  following  wild  strain  i —  .    „   f^  ,4 

"I  shall  go  with  you  my  sweet  heart,  my  Algonquin.** 
*' Alas,"  I  replied,  "my  native  country  is  far,  far  away — ^my  sweet 
heart,  my  Algonquin.   ^  ^,;*     -i     •.-.  .->  i   .,'       .  iJ  ^j^^* 


POETIC   SENTIMENT  OF  THE  INDIANS. 


91 


r  music,  and 


When  I  looked  back  again,  where  we  parted,  he  was  etill  look' 
ing  after  me,  my  sweet  heart,  my  Algonquin, 

He  was  still  standing  on  a  fallen  tree,  that  had  fallen  in  tho 
water,  my  sweet  heart,  my  Algonquin. 

Alas,  when  I  think  of  him,  when  I  think  of  him,  it  Uh  when  I 
think  of  him — my  Algonquin. 

The  following  is  another  strain  almost  as  simple,  but 
less  wild  and  sad  :— 

"  I  looked  across  the  water, 
I  bent  o'er  it  and  listened, 
I  thought  it  was  my  lover,  - ' 

My  true  love's  paddle  glistened. 
Joyous  thus  his  light  canoe,  would  the  silver  ripples  wake, 
But  no,  it  is  the  loon  alone,  the  loon  upon  the  lake ; 
Ah  me !  it  is  the  loon  alone,  the  loon  upon  the  lake. 

"  I  see  the  fallen  mapl^ 

Where  he  stood  his  red  scarf  waving, 
Though  waters  nearly  bury 

Boughs  they  then  were  merely  laving 
I  heard  his  last  farewell,  as  it  echoed  from  the  lake, 
But  no,  it  is  the  loon  alone,  the  loon  upon  the  lake ; 
Ah  me  I  it  is  the  loon  alone,  the  loon  upon  the  lake." 

This  is  a  literal  translation,  but  there  is  the  true 
spirit  of  the  love-lorn  maideriy  and  a  high  development  of 
the  poetic  sentiment  There  has  been  only  now  and  then 
a  wanderer  among  the  forests,  who  could  appreciate  or 
discern  the  beautiful,  though  there  have  been  poems,  and 
novels  in  abundance  concerning  wild  forest  life,  by  those 
who  wrote  the  wanderings  of  their  imagination  and  their 
fancy.  The  bright  picture  has  been  too  bright,  and  tho 
dark  picture  too  dark. 

In  the  war  songs  of  the  Indian,  there  is  never  allusion 
to  blood  and  carnage ;  and  revenge  is  not  made  prominent 
among  the  natives  for  pursuing  the  enemy.     Bold  and 


v-i 


lill 

i 


',ffii*j 


I':    .       I. 


92 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


daring  deeds  are  incited  as  worthy  of  imitation,  and  forti- 
tude and  heroism  are  exalted  as  the  loftiest  virtues. 
They  had  characteristics,  generated  by  their  peculiar  life, 
but  there  is  nothing  about  them  to  prevent  their  becom- 
ing like  unto  others.  White  men  have  lived  among  them 
and  learned  'to  prefer  the  hunter's  life.  Indians  have 
learned  to  prefer  the  habits  of  civilization,  and  shown 
themselves  capable  of  education  and  refinement  equal  to 
any  attained  by  any  nation. 

When  children,  they  have  the  same  joyous  nature,  the 
same  quick  perceptions,  and  exhibit  the  same  varieties  of 
character. 

"  As  the  twig  is  bent,  the  tree  is  inclined," 

is  as  true  of  them  as  of  pale-faced  children. 

The  following  lines  are  a  translation  of  a  song  heard 
among  a  troop  of  Chippewa  children  as  they  were  playing 
at  twilight  around  their  dwellings,  and  the  air  was  filled 
with  myriads  of  fire-flies,  which  they  were  trying  to  catch. 
I  have  seen  few  prettier  things  among  the  children's  songs 
of  any  people. 

"Fire-fly,  flre-fly,  bright  little  thing, 
Light  me  to  bed,  and  my  song  I  will  sing ; 
Give  me  your  light,  as  you  fly  o'er  my  head, 
That  I  may  merrily  go  to  my  bed ; 
Give  me  your  light  o'er  the  grass  as  you  creep, 
Thot  I  may  joyfully  go  to  my  sleep ; 
Come  little  fire-fly — Come  little  beast —    < 
Come !  and  I'll  make  you  to-morrow  a  feast. 
Come,  little  candle,  that  flies  as  I  sing, 
Bright  little  fairy  bug, — night's  little  king ; 
Come,  and  I'll  dance  as  you  guide  me  along, 
Come,  and  I'll  pay  you  my  bug  with  a  song." 

In  their  legends  there  is  often  allusion  to  falliftg  in 


1 


a 


A  LOVE  LEGEND. 


Qd 


love^  in  the  way  the  same  event  takes  place  among  other 
people.  The  following  is  obtained  from  a  very  authentic 
source,  and  certainly  appears  very  natural : — 


n,  and  shown 


A   LOVE   LEGEND. 


Iroqwrla. 


Over  a  deep  gulf,  not  far  from  Canandaigua  Lake, 
hangs  a  wild  and  fearful  precipice,  which  has  been  known 
to  the  Indian  as  far  back  as  tradition  goes,  by  the  name 
of  "  Lover's  Leap,"  for  here  two  lovers  preferred  to  die 
together  rather  than  live  apart. 

When  the  Senecas  and  Algonquins  were  at  war,  a 
young  Algonquin  Chief  was  taken  prisoner,  and  con- 
demned to  die.  While  in  the  "  cabin  of  death,"  to  wait 
his  doom,  the  youthful  and  beautiful  daughter  of  the 
Sachem  brought  him  food.  He  too  was  rich  in  all  those 
manly  gifts  which  an  Indian  maiden  is  taught  to  admire 
in  warrior  and  in  chieftain,  and  though  her  father's 
enemy,  she  loved  him,  and  resolved  to  save  his  life. 

Ere  the  morning  watch,  when  the  gray  dawn  was  just 
stealing  from  behind  the  hill-tops,  she  stole  with  stealthy 
tread  to  the  side  of  the  noble  captive,  and  cutting  the 
thongs  which  bound  him,  bade  him  in  breathless  accents 
to  follow  her. 

The  sentinel,  weary  with  his  night-watchings,  had 
fallen  asleep,  but  ere  theyJhad  descended  the  winding 
pathway  which  led  to  the  lake  on  whose  gentle  bosom 
they  had  hoped  to  rest,  the  shrill  war>whoop  fell  on  their 
ears  and  they  knew  they  were  pursued.  Like  the  fawn  or 
the  squirrel  they  bounded  through  the  thick  woods  and 
down  the  steeps  to  the  border  of  the  lake,  where  the  light 
canoe  awaited  them,  and  plied  the  dashing  paddles  with 
the  desperate  energy  of  those  who  row  for  life.     But  it 


lii  ?ii! 


94 


THE    mOQUOIS. 


ii 


II 


was  in  vain ;  nearer  came  the  terrific  yell  and  then  the 
splashing  of  a  dozen  oars,  and  as  many  savage  warriors 
swiftly  gliding  over  the  waters  in  full  view  of  the 
fugitives. 

They  reached  the  shore  and  fled  through  a  woody 
pathway  over  the  hills ;  but,  seeing  the  brave  youth  by 
her  side  was  fainting  from  his  still  bleeding  wounds,  the 
maiden  turned  quickly  and  came  to  a  table-crested  rock 
that  overlooked  the  gulf.  There,  hand  in  hand,  they 
paused,  and  calmly  gazed  on  the  group  below,  who  in- 
stantly filled  the  air  with  shrieks,  as  they  perceived  the 
pair,  and  knew  them  to  be  within  their  reach.  The  damsel 
knew  her  father  by  his  eagle  plume,  and  when  he  saw  his 
victim  he  bent  his  bow  and  pointed  the  poisoned  arrow  at 
his  heart ;  but  ere  the  string  was  snapped,  Wun-nut-hay, 
the  beautiful,  stood  between  her  lover  and  ^he  stern  old 
man,  and  falling  at  the  feet  of  the  warrior  begged  him  to 
spare  the  youth ;  "  nay,"  said  she,  "  we  will  plunge  to- 
gether over  the  precipice  rather  than  that  one  shall  die 
and  the  other  live." 

But  rage  now  blinded  him  to  her  tears  and  shut  his 
ears  to  her  entreaties;  he  commanded  his  followers  to 
seize  the  lad,  and  warrior  after  warrior  bounded  up  the 
olififs  in  obedience  to  his  command,  but  at  the  moment 
they  put  forth  their  hands  to  grasp  the  foe,  the  lovers, 
locked  in  firm  embrace,  flung  themselves 

"  From  the  steep  rock  and  perished  I" 

Then  the  father's  breast  was  rent,  but  too  late  to  save 
his  child.  At  the  bottom  of  the  gulf,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  from  where  he  stood,  lay  the  mangled  bodies  of  the 
two,  and  there  he  commanded  that  they  should  bo  buried. 
Two  hollows  like  sunken  graves  are  to  this  day  pointed  out 
as  the  "  burial  place  of  the  lovers."    It  is  a  wild,  romantio 


INDIAN  NOBLENESS. 


95 


and  then  the 


haunt,  but  quiet  now,  save  where  a  brook  slowly  murmurs 
along  as  if  to  chant  a  requiem  for  the  dead. 

Gol.  McKenney,  who  was  for  seventeen  years  at  the 
head  of  the  Indian  department  at  Washington,  and  who 
has  mingled  with  Indians  of  every  nation  and  tribe,  in  the 
wildest  and  the  most  civilized  state,  does  not  hesitate  to  con- 
firm them  in  the  assertion  always  to  be  heard  among  them- 
selves, that  they  are  the  people.  He  is  as  genuine  a  Saxon 
as  myself,  but  is  willing  to  allow  the  red  children  the  pre- 
ference in  all  that  is  truly  noble  and  good.  Not  among 
any  people  whose  history  I  have  read,  have  I  found  in- 
stances of  stronger  attachment,  whether  of  love,  of  con- 
jugal or  parental  affection,  than  he  relates ;  and  the  most 
strong  heart  would  melt  in  listening  to  the  touching  inci- 
dents of  which  his  memory  is  so  full ;  and  that  they  are 
full  of  pathos  and  awake  to  the  tenderest  sympathy,  cannot 
now  be  ascribed  to  the  youthful  enthusiasm  of  the  narra- 
tor, or  his  unripe  judgment. 

His  head  is  now  hoary  with  the  frists  of  many  winters, 
and  he  must  be  considered  good  authority ;  and  he  says 
no  people  on  the  wide  earth  have  hearts  so  warm  and  true 
as  the  genuine  forest  Indian. 

In  Jefferson's  answers  to  the  theories  of  Count  de 
Buffon,  concerning  the  deteriorating  influence  of  American 
climate  and  soil  upon  animals  and  vegetables,  he  says 
there  is  no  difference  between  the  Indian  and  European, 
except  what  is  produced  by  customs  and  modes  of  li  ing. 
The  Indian  was  taught  to  consider  war  as  the  noblest  of 
pursuits.  ''  Every  thing  he  sees  and  hears  tends  to  inspire 
him  with  an  ardent  desire  for  military  fame.  If  a  young 
man  were  to  discover  a  fondness  for  women  before  he  has 
been  to  war,  he  would  become  the  contempt  of  the  men, 
and  the  scorn  and  ridicule  of  the  women.  Or  if  he  were 
to  offer  violence  to  a  captive  for  selfish  gratification,  he 


h>^ 


96 


THE    mOQUOIS. 


would  incur  indelible  disgrace.  T'  r  frigidity  is  the  ef- 
fect of  manners,  and  not  a  defect  i  nature.  Besides,  a 
celebrated  warrior  is  oftener  courted  by  the  females,  than 
he  has  the  occasion  to  court ;  and  this  is  a  point  of  honor 
which  the  men  aim  at.  Instances  similar  to  that  of  Buth 
and  Boaz  are  not  uncommon  among  them.  For  though 
the  women  are  modest  and  diffident,  and  so  bashful  that 
they  seldom  lift  up  their  eyes,  and  scarce  ever  look  a 
man  full  in  the  face,  yet  customs  and  manners  reconcile 
them  to  modes  of  acting  which,  judged  of  by  Europeans, 
would  be  deemed  inconsistent  with  the  rules  of  female  de- 
corum and  propriety." 

"  When  Boaz  had  eaten  and  drank,  and  his  heart  was 
merry,  he  went  to  lie  down  at  the  end  of  a  heap  of  com, 
and  Buth  came  softly,  and  uncovered  his  feet,  and  laid  her 
down." 

"  Instances  like  this,"  continues  the  same  author,  "  are 
not  uncommon  among  them.  I  once  saw  a  young  widoW) 
whose  husband,  a  warrior,  had  died  about  eight  days  be- 
fore, hastening  to  finish  her  grief,  tearing  her  hair  and 
beating  her  breast,  drinking  spirits  to  make  the  tears  flow, 
that  she  might  grieve  much  in  a  short  space  of  timo,  and 
be  married  that  evening  to  another  young  warrior.  Old 
men,  whose  wives  are  also  advanoed  in  years,  often  marry 
young  women,  though  polygamy  is  not  common  among 
them.  Neither  do  they  seem  to  be  deficient  in  natural  af- 
fection. I  have  seen  both  fathers  and  mothers  in  the 
deepest  affliction  when  their  children  have  been  danger- 
ously ill.  It  is  also  sffid  they  are  averse  to  society  and 
social  life.  Can  any  thing  be  more  inapplic  ble  than  this 
to  a  people  who  always  live  in  towns  or  claii3  ?  Or  can 
they  be  said  to  have  no  '  republic,'  who  conduct  all  their 
affairs  in  national  councils,  who  pride  themselves  in  na- 
tional character,  who  consider  an  insult  or  injury  done  to 


INSTANCES   OP    CIVILIZATION. 


97 


an  individual,  as  done  to  the  whole,  and  resent  it  accord- 
ingly?" 

I  have  quoted  this  author  at  some  length,  as  he  must 
be  considered  good  authority,  and  says  he  writes  what  he 
knows.  And  as  this  is  one  of  the  great  points  of  dispute 
concerning  Indians,  between  philosophers  and  historians 
of  the  old  world  and  the  new,  and  is  also  a  very  interest- 
ing one,  I  have  thought  it  worthy  much  pains  in  adducing 
opinions.  The  Iroquois  were  not  justly  called  a  wild  or 
barbarous  people  at  all.  They  were  not  all  alike.  Among 
their  lodges  there  were  degrees  of  order  and  neatness,  the 
same  as  among  us.  Those  who  visit  the  rude  log  cabins 
of  white  settlers  in  the  wilderness  far  away  from  the  com- 
forts  and  luxuries  of  cultivated  circles,  may  have  all  their 
sensibilities  shocked  quite  as  much  as  our  forefathers  had 
in  the  wigwam.  They  had  rules  of  etiquette,  and  were 
truly  formalists  in  the  management  of  public  and  social 
matters.  Not  to  say  I  thank  you,  after  partaking  of  a 
meal  in  a  friend's  or  stranger's  house,  was  considered  quite 
an  insult,  and  they  did  not  consider  it  polite  to  enter  a 
village  without  uttering  some  note  of  announcement. 
"  Much  less  ought  they  to  be  characterized  as  a  people  of 
no  vivacity,  and  who  are  excited  to  action  or  motion  only 
by  the  call  of  hunger  and  thirst.  Their  dances,  in  which 
they  so  much  delight,  and  which  to  an  European  would  be 
the  severest  exercise,  fully  contradict  this. 

All  the  Indians  of  North  America  were  in  the  habit 
of  using  various  symbols  to  represent  ideas,  and  by  some 
this  was  carried  so  far  as  to  deserve  the  name  of  picture 
writing.  If  a  hunter  was  alone  in  the  forest,  wherever  he 
encar^ped  he  would  mark  upon  the  smooth  bark  of  a  tree 
the  device  of  his  tribe,  a  bear,  or  heron,  or  deer,  whichever 
it  might  be ;  the  shape  of  the  moon  at  the  time,  to  indicate 
the  day  of  the  month ;  and  bo  nice  were  their  observationSi 


...^i 


98 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


ii 


that  they  drew  the  quarters,  half  and  full  moon  with  won- 
derful exactness;  an  arrow  pointing  in  the  direction  he 
was  going ;  straight  lines  to  denote  the  number  of  days  he 
had  been  from  home,  and  the  forms  of  the  various  animals 
he  had  killed  in  the  chase. 

If  there  was  a  large  party,  the  number  of  persons  was 
shown  by  the  faces  or  figures  being  drawn ;  if  it  was  a  war 
party,  a  knife  drawn  across  the  throat  designated  how 
many  had  been  killed. 

They  were  in  the  habit  of  marking  their  tribal  device, 
very  generally  denominated  totem,  over  the  doors  of  their 
cabins,  and  sometimes  upon  their  bodies.  Among  the  west- 
ern nations  and  the  Indians  of  New  England,  scrolls  of 
bark  were  used,  and  their  symbols  were  very  much  like 
those  in  use  among  eastern  nations  before  the  invention 
of  letters.  The  events  of  a  war  expedition  have  been 
found  so  definitely  pictured  that  they  could  be  easily  un- 
derstood by  those  who  originally  knew  nothing  of  the 
matter ;  and  parties  of  travellers  have  found  descriptions 
of  their  movements,  upon  pieces  of  bark  fastened  to  a  pole 
and  set  up  in  the  forest,  so  that  it  was  easily  recognized 
when  read  by  one  acquainted  with  their  signs. 

The  following  is  a  love  song  written  in  this  way,  and 
curious  only  as  showing  the  amount  they  could  communi- 
cate and  the  sentiments  they  could  express  by  picture 
writing : 

"  It  is  my  form  and  person  that  makes  me  great 
Hear  the  voice  of  my  song — it  is  my  voice ; 
I  shield  myself  with  secret  coverings. 
All  your  thoughts  are  known  to  me ;  blush  1 
I  could  draw  you  hence  were  you  on  a  distant  island; 
Though  you  were  in  another  hemisphere ; 
I  speak  to  your  naked  heart  i" 


CHARACTERISTIC     SONGS. 


99 


The  following  seems  to  be  an  imaginary  address  of  the 
frogs  to  the  snow  flakes  and  ice  in  spring,  when  they  are 
weary  of  being  imprisoned,  and  long  to  burst  their  bonds, 
and  commence  their  rejoicings,  for  the  return  of  the  warm 
sun  and  the  sweet  breath  of  spring. 

They  are  interesting  only  as  specimens  of  Indian  im- 
agination and  poetry : 

BONO   OF  THE  OKOOISS,  OR  FROOS,  IN  BPBINO. 

See  how  the  white  spirit  presses — 
Presses  us — presses  us,  heavy  and  long ; 
Presses  us  down  to  the  frost-bitten  earth  ; 
Alas!  ye  are  heavy,  ye  spirits  so  white ; 
Alas !  you  are  cold — you  are  cold,  you  are  cold. 
Ah  I  cease  shining  spirits  that  fell  from  the  skies ; 
Ah  I  cease  to  crush  us  and  keep  us  in  dread ; 
Ah !  when  will  ye  vanish  and  Seegwin  return  I 


b 


w 


HAWK  CHA5T  OF  THE  SAGINAW8. 

The  hawks  turn  their  heads  nimbly  around ; 

They  turn  to  look  back  on  their  flight ; 

The  spirits  of  sunplace  have  whispered  the  words. 

They  fly  with  their  messages  swift ; 

They  look  as  they  fearfully  go ; 

They  look  to  the  farthermost  end  of  the  world. 

Their  eyes  glancing  bright  and  their  beaks  boding  harm. 

Their  war  songs,  as  translated,  do  not  convey  to  us  any 
just  idea  of  what  they  were  to  the  Indian.  It  is  true  of 
every  thing  national  of  whatever  people,  that  those  alone 
can  understand  its  true  import  who  have  the  same  associa- 
tions ;  who  have  been  subject  to  the  same  influences,  and 
whose  enthusiasm  is  awakened  by  the  same  suggestions. 

To  the  Indian  in  his  wild  home,  with  his  national 
costume,  surrounded  by  warriors  ready  to  go  forth  to 
battle,  and  young  men  panting  for  fame,  their  war  soogg 


100 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


were  soul-inspiring,  and  kindled  an  enthusiasm  whicli  can 
scarcely  be  imagined  by  those  who  have  not  witnessed  a 
war-dance  and  listened  to  a  war  song.  :       ;    '^ 

The  following  is  a  specimen,  but  tame  indeed  compared 
with  the  original : 

But  who  are  my  foes  ?  they  shall  die. 
They  shall  fly  o'er  the  plains  like  a  fox; 
They  shall  shake  like  a  leaf  in  the  storm, 
Perfidious  dogs — they  roast  onr  sons  with  fire. 

Five  winters  in  hunting  well  spend, 
While  mourning  our  warriors  slain. 

Till  our  youth  grown  to  men 

For  the  battle  path  trained, 
Our  days  like  our  father's  we'll  end. 

Ye  are  dead  noble  men  I  ye  are  gone 
My  brother — my  fellow — my  friend  I— — 
On  the  death  path  where  brave  men  must  go; 
But  we  live  to  revenge  you  I  we  haste 
To  die  as  our  forefathers  died. 

The  eagles  scream  on  high ; 
They  whet  their  forked  beaks , 
Raise,  raise  the  battle  cry,        . 
Tin  fame  our  leader  seeks. 

The  battle  birds  swoop  from  the  sky, . 
They  thirst  for  the  warrior's  heart; 
They  look  from  their  circles  on  high. 
And  scorn  every  flesh  biit  the  brave. 

I  fall,  but  my  body  shall  lie, 
A  name  for  the  gallant  to  tell ; 
The  gods  shall  repeat  it  on  high, 
,    I     And  young  men  grow  brave  at  the  sound. 

■    '        Hear  my  voioe  ye  heroes ! 
7-  r;i^  On  that  day  when  our  warrion  sprang       '     '»^     '' 
ir^^7;»  ^'  With  ihottti  on  th«  dastardly  fo«^  C''^ 


«m  which  can 
»t  witnessed  a 

ieed  compared 


1  fire. 


tgo; 


1. 


m' 


hi 

m 


Elf,'-'-  i 


tour™,;, 


\  " 

'(-■■ 

f 

I; 

■    : 

HA  BY  riiAMi:. 


TBAM8P0RTATI0N   OF  CHILDREN. 


101 


Just  yengeance  my  heart  burned  to  take 
On  the  crael  and  treacherous  breed, 
The  IJwoin — the  Fox — the  Sauk. 

And  here,  on  mj  breast,  have  I  bled ; 
See — see  I  mj  battle  scars  I 
Ye  mountains  tremble  at  mj  yell ! 
I  strike  for  life. 

The  Indian  mother  has  certainly  invented  the  most 
convenient  method  of  carrying  and  luUabying  her  baby. 
All  babies  are  nearly  of  the  same  size,  and  nobody  need 
to  he  told  how  long  or  wide  a  baby  frame  is  made.  It  is 
a  straight  board,  sometimes  with  side  pieces,  and  always 
with  a  hoop  over  the  head  from  which  to  suspend  a  curtain 
for  the  protection  of  the  little  eyes  from  the  sun,  and  thus 
enveloped  in  a  blanket  and  laced  to  the  frame,  they  were 
carried  upon  the  back  of  the  mother  by  a  stay  which  came 
over  her  forehead,  and  with  much  less  fatigue  than  in  the 
arms.  The  haby  is  kept  in  the  frame  a  great  portion  of 
the  time  when  it  is  an  infant,  and  it  is  astonishing  how 
contented  it  remains  in  its  little  |>rison.  When  the 
mother  is  at  work  in  the  field  she  hangs  her  baby  on  a  low 
limb  of  a  tree,  where  it  is  rocked  by  the  wind.  When  she 
is  busy  in  the  house,  she  suspends  it  on  a  nail  or  seats  it  in 
the  corner,  and  sometimes  hangs  it  where  she  can  swing  it 
to  and  fro  as  she  passes,  "  singing  as  she  goes." 

The  following  is  a  bahy  song,  which  will  compare  well 
with  the  songs  of  a  similar  sentiment  among  any  people; 
and  as  in  other  cases,  the  translation  is  not  so  good  as  the 
original:  ;      '-■'  - 

CRADtE  SONG. 

Swinging,  swinging,  lullaby, 

Sleep,  little  daughter  sleep, 
Tis  your  mother  watching  by ; 

Swinging,  swinging  she  will  keep 
Little  daughter  lullaby. 


[tv 


'VS' 


#  ■ 


'  I    ■  '       .'.■ 

Ji'K  'i 

m 

m 


102  THE   JRIQVOIS. 

'Tis  your  mother  loves  you  dearest^ 

Sleep,  sleep,  daughter  sleep ; 
Swingings  swinging,  ever  nearest, 

Baby,  baby  do  not  weep, 
Little  daughter  lullaby. 

Swinging,  swinging,  lullaby, 

Sleep,  sleep  little  one. 
And  thy  mother  will  be  nigh ; 

Swing,  swing,  not  alone. 
Little  baby  lullaby. 

As  an  instance  of  the  appreciation  in  which  the  Iroquois 
held  the  noble  qualities  of  the  heart,  their  enthusiasm, 
and  the  honors  they  thought  it  not  wrong  to  bestow  upon 
woman,  may  be  related  the  story  of  the  daughter  of  Black 
Chief,  who  was  a  Seneca  Sachem  residing  at  Squawky  Hill, 
in  the  valley  of  the  Genesee : 

Black  Chief  was  one  of  their  brave  men  in  time  of 
war,  and  also  endowed  with  all  the  noble,  generous  quali- 
ties which  win  love  and  honor  in  time  of  peace.  He  had 
an  only  daughter,  who  was  greatly  endeared  to  her  people, 
because,  like  her  father,  she  had  a  soul  ever  prompting 
her  to  generous  deeds.  She  was  also  very  beautiful,  and 
possessed  a  mind  of  superior  order,  and  was  in  every  way 
gifted,  worthy  to  be  the  Chieftain's  daughter.  When  her 
father  died  they  honored  her  above  all  other  women,  and 
gave  to  her  the  title  and  authority  of  Princess. 

They  had  a  superstition,  that  during  her  life,  the  Iro- 
quois would  again  be  restored  to  their  ancient  power,  and 
take  a  place  among  the  nations  of  the  earth.  So,  many 
were  the  prayers  which  ascended  to  the  Great  Spirit  for 
the  long  life  of  their  young  queen.  They  gathered  flowers 
and  strewed  in  her  path  when  she  went  forth,  and  brought 
to  her  the  finest  venison  and  the  rarest  fruits  for  her  table. 
She  was  not  made  haughty  and  imperious  by  her  honors, 


an£ 


HONOR  TO  THE  NOBLE  DEAD. 


103 


the  Iroquois 
enthusiasm, 
>estow  upon 
ter  of  Black 
uawky  Hill, 

I  in  time  of 
lerous  quali- 
le.  He  had 
)  her  people, 
r  prompting 
jautiful,  and 
n  every  way 
When  her 
women,  and 

i. 

life,  the  Iro- 


power, 


and 


So,  many 

it  Spirit  for 

jered  flowers 

land  brought 

tor  her  table. 

her  honors, 


but  continued  gentle  and  affectionate,  though  it  was  but  a 
little  while  that  she  remained  to  receive  these  tokens  of 
unaffected  homage.     The  Great  Spirit  did  not  see  fit  to 
answer  their  prayers.     In  an  evil  hour  the  pestilence 
swept  the  land,  and  whole  villages  were  desolated  in  a  night. 
In  the  midst  of  their  calapiities,  they  thought  less  of 
themselves  than  of  the  daughter  of  their  beloved  Chief. 
Whilst  the  hand  of  the  destroyer  left  her  unharmed,  they 
were  not  made  utterly  wretched.     But  when  their  lamen- 
tations were  dying  away,  and  health  again  brought  cheer- 
fulness to  their  dwellings,  she  was  stricken,  and  the  light 
which  had  been  so  beautiful  in  their  eyes  went  out  in  utter 
darkness.    Now  the  wail  of  the  mourners  around  the  couch 
of  the  dead  was  sincere  and  heart-rending.     They  did  not 
build  for  her  the  "  Cabin  of  Death,"  but  constructed  a  scaf- 
fold among  the  trees  of  a  neighboring  grove,  and  adorning 
her  with  all  that  their  skill  or  taste  could  devise,  placed  he? 
upon  it  in  a  sitting  posture,  and  from  far  and  near  all  the 
people  gathered  together  to  join  in  the  solemn  rites,  which 
were  to  testify  their  love  for  the  living  and  their  grief  for 
the  dead.     Her  lifeless  form  was  embowered  with  roses  and 
running  vines,  and  garlands  of  flowers  were  wreathed  at 
her  feet.     All  that  the  Indian  considered  most  valuable — 
golden  ears  of  his  beloved  maize,  and  the  most  costly  furs, 
were  scattered  in  profusion  around  her. 

Every  night  flres  were  lighted  and  watchmen  stationed 
to  guard  her  body  from  danger,  and  every  morning  they 
again  assembled  to  renew  the  utterance  of  their  grief. 

The  mourning  continued  many  days,  and  when  it  was 
no  longer  possible  to  preserve  her  in  their  sight,  she  was 
buried,  while  at  her  grave  was  chanted  a  solemn  dirge  by 
the  mingled  voices  of  a  great  multitude,  whe  filled  the  air 
with  such  plaintive  wailings  as  can  come  only  from  broken 
hearts. 


9, 


,!r' 


104 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


I' 


I  cannot  help  pausing  here  to  ask,  if  such  a  people  de- 
serve no  better  do^  a  than  annihilation  ?  if  those  who 
call  themselves  Christians  "  have  done  what  they  could," 
to  tuae  these  harps  of  the  wilderness  to  accord  with  those 
of  the  cherubim  and  seraphim  in  the  choirs  above  ? 


ii  \ 


ill', 


people  de- 

those  who 

bey  could," 

with  those 

ive? 


;:^  ^       Ui 


CHAPTER  VI. 


LEGENDARY  LITEEATUEE. 


If,  centuries  ago,  some  amateur  chronicler  had  wan- 
dered peacefully  among  the  North  American  Indians, 
making  himself  familiar  with  their  language  and  welcome 
at  their  firesides,  that  he  might  listen  to  their  legends 
and  record  them  as  they  were  related  in  their  family 
circles^  in  the  same  way  as  bands  of  Eastern  wanderers 
were  accustomed  to  revel  in  Arabian  tales,  we  might  have 
had  some  idea  of  the  poetry  and  enthusiasm  and  glowing 
images  of  a  people  whose  thoughts  and  fancies  soared  so 
freely  and  wildly,  and  gave  to  their  compositions  a  rich- 
ness and  beauty,  only  rivalled  on  Grecian  plains  and  among 
Celtic  bards. 

Tradition  tells  us  that  Homer  was  a  blind  ballad 
sieger,  and  that  his  immortal  lines  were  gathered  here 
and  there  among  the  people  long  after  he  slept  with  his 
fathers. 

The  poems  of  Ossian  were  collected  among  the  High- 
lands of  Scotland,  from  those  who  sang  them  as  their 
fathers  sang  them,  and  were  as  ignorant  as  the  Indian  of 
our  forests  of  metrical  rules  and  written  lore,  yet  they  are 
the  admiration  of  poets  and  sages,  and  considered  unparal- 
leled by  any  thing  civilization  can  boast. 

On  long  winter  evenings  the  Indian  hunters  gathered 
around  their  firesides,  to  listen  to  the  historical  tradi- 
5 


•■Wl' 


^'' 


106 


THE     IROQUOIS. 


tions,  legends  of  war  and  hunting,  and  their  fairy  tales, 
which  had  been  handed  down  through  their  fathers  and 
fathers'  fathers  with  scarcely  any  variation  for  centuries, 
kindling  the  enthusiasm  of  the  warriors  and  inspiring  the 
little  child  with  the  desire  some  day  to  realize  similar 
dreams,  and  hand  his  name  down  to  posterity  as  the 
author  of  similar  exploits. 

They  have  a  superstitious  fear  of  relating  fables  in 
summer  ;  not  till  after  the  snow  comes  will  they  talk  of 
snakes,  lest  they  should  creep  into  their  beds,  or  of  evil 
genii  lest  they  in  some  way  be  revenged. 

It  is  very  difficult  for  a  stranger  to  rightly  understand 
the  morale  of  their  stories,  though  it  is  said  by  those  who 
know  them  best,  that  to  them  the  story  was  always  an  il- 
lustration of  some  important  event  or  principle. 

To  strangers  they  offer  all  the  rites  of  hospitality,  but 
do  not  open  their  hearts.  If  you  ask  them  they  will  tell 
you  a  story,  but  it  will  not  be  such  a  story  as  they  tell 
when  alone.  They  will  fear  your  ridicule,  and  suppress 
their  humor  and  their  pathos ;  and  so  thoroughly  have 
they  learned  to  distrust  pale  faces,  that  when  they  know 
that  he  who  is  present  is  a  friend,  they  will  still  shrink 
from  admitting  him  within  the  secret  portals  of  their 
souls. 

And  when  you  have  learned  all  that  language  can  con- 
vey, there  are  still  a  thousand  images,  suggestions  and  as- 
sociations recurring  to  the  Indian,  which  can  strike  no 
chord  in  your  heart.  The  myriad  voices  of  nature  are 
dumb  to  you,  but  to  him  they  are  full  of  life  and  power. 

LEGEND   OP   THE    SENEGAS    CONCERNING   THEIR   ORIGIN. 

All  the  legends  when  related  by  different  people,  have 
slight  variations,  but  the  general  features  are  the  same, 
and  are  preserved  with  remarkable  exactness,  considering 


ry  tales, 
bers  and 
enturies, 
iring  the 
)  similar 
f  as  the 

fables  in 
Y  talk  of 
)r  of  evil 

iderstand 
hose  who 
ays  an  il- 

iality,  but 

y  will  tell 

they  tell 

suppress 

jhly  have 

ley  know 

1  shrink 

of  their 

can  con* 
as  and  as- 
strike  no 
ature  are 

power. 

ORIGIN. 

ople,  have 
the  same, 
msidering 


INDIAN    LEGEND. 


107 


that  they  have  beeen  handed  down  for  centuries  in  this 
oral  way.  The  following  is  all  the  account  the  Senecas 
can  give  concerning  their  origin. 

They  grew  out  of  the  crest  of  a  mountain,  at  the  head 
of  Canandaigua  lake.  The  mountain  which  gave  them 
birth  is  Ge-nun-de-wah-gauh,  or  the  Great  Hill.  Hence 
they  are  called  the  Great  Hill  People. 

A  little  boy  during  his  rambles  in  the  woods,  found  a 
pretty  serpent,  which  he  carried  home  for  a  plaything. 
In  the  course  of  time  the  serpent  grew  to  be  very  large, 
and  so  voracious  that  he  devoured  all  who  came  within 
the  reach  of  his  monstrous  jaws.     At  length  he  coiled 
himself  around  the  base  of  the  mountain,  so  that  none 
could  pass   to  and   fro,  without  falling  victims   to   his 
ravenous    appetite,   and    besides,   the    atmosphere    was 
poisoned  by  his  fetid  breath.     But  starvation  stared  them 
in  the  face,  and   the  people  determined   upon  a  sally, 
hoping   to  destroy  the   monster  and   escape   unharmed. 
The  serpent  was  so  large  that  there  was  no  hope  of  leap- 
ing over  his  body,  and  there  was  no  way  but  to  attempt  a 
passagf^  where  the  head  and  tail  met.     In  a  body  all  the 
people  rushed  down,  determined  on  victory  or  death,  and 
were  all  destroyed,  except  a  little  boy  and  his  sister,  who 
were   left   alone   to   defy   the   monster.      Then   came   a 
pleasant  dream  to  the  boy,  which  directed  him  to  string 
his  bow  with  the  silken  tresses  of  his  sister,  and  shoot  the 
serpent  in  the  eye,  or  underneath  a  scale.     The  child 
obeyed,  and  the  arrow  performed  the  work  of  death.     In 
the  convulsive  throes  of  the  serpent,  the  heads  of  the 
multitudes  which  he  had  devoured,  were  tijrown  upon  the 
earth,  and  when  he  uncoiled,  they  rolled  with  him  into  the 
lake,  where  being  petrified  by  the  water,  they  still  remain 
in  the  form  of  round  stones,  which  cover  the  bed  of  the 
lake  to  this  day  I 


108 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


if 

1 


.•IP;- 
J- 


I'   ' 


This  is  about  as  marvellous  as  the  preservation  of 
Romulus  and  Remus,  and  exhibits  the  same  kind  of 
propensity  to  acxjount  for  what  is  unaccountable,  and  give 
themselves  "  a  local  habitation  and  a  name."  It  is  also 
quite  as  credible  as  many  of  the  stories  concerning  the 
early  history  of  the  heroes  of  ancient  history  and  fable, 
which  are  thought  worth  recording  by  every  author  who 
writes  of  Greece  and  Rome,  and  are  read  by  every  child 
with  wonder. 

MEDICINE    LEGENDS. 

The  two  following,  are  the  legends  concerning  the  prin- 
cipal medicines  used  among  the  Iroquois.  The  ancient 
manner  of  administering  them,  was  to  take  a  small  wooden 
goblet,  and  go  to  a  running  stream,  and  dipping  towards 
the  way  which  the  stream  ran,  fill  the  goblet  and  return 
to  set  it  by  tho  fire,  with  some  tobacco  near  it.  A  prayer 
is  offered,  while  tobacco  is  thrown  upon  the  fire,  that  the 
words  may  ascend  upon  the  smoke. 

The  medicine  is  placed  upon  a  piece  of  skin  near  the 
goblet,  and  being  very  finely  pounded,  is  taken  up  with  a 
wooden  spoon  and  dusted  upon  the  water  in  three  places, 
in  spots  in  the  form  of  a  triangle,  thus — *^*  The  medi- 
cine man  then  looks  at  it  critically,  and  if  it  spreads  itself 
over  the  surface  of  the  water  and  whirls  about,  it  is  a 
sign  that  the  invalid  will  be  healed.  If  it  sinks  directly 
in  the  places  where  it  is  placed — there  is  no  hope — the 
sick  person  will  die,  and  they  throw  the  whole  away. 

Once  in  six  months  there  is  a  great  feast  made,  at  the 
hunting  season  in  the  fall  and  spring.  On  the  night  of 
the  feast,  as  soon  as  it  is  dark,  all  who  are  present  as- 
semble in  one  room,  where  no  light  or  fire  is  allowed  to 
burn,  and  placing  the  medicine  near  the  covered  embers, 
and  the  tobacco  by  its  side,  they  commence  singing  some- 


fi 


MEDICINAL   FEAST. 


109 


irvation  of 
i  kind  of 
,  and  give 
It  is  also 
irning  the 
and  fable, 
uthor  who 
very  child 


5  the  prin- 
lie  ancient 
all  wooden 
ig  towards 
md  return 
A  prayer 
e,  that  the 

near  the 
up  with  a 
ree  places, 
The  medi- 
eads  itself 
)ut,  it  is  a 
s  directly 
hope — the 
iway. 
ide,  at  the 
e  night  of 
)resent  as- 
allowed  to 
d  embers, 
;ing  some- 


\ 


thing  which  proclaims  that  the  crow  is  coming  to  their 
.feast,  and  also  many  other  birds,  and  various  animals,  the 
brains  of  whose  species  form  part  of  the  medicine.  At 
the  end  of  the  song,  some  one  imitates  the  caia  of  the 
crow,  and  the  songs  of  the  birds,  and  howl  of  the  wolf, 
&o.,  as  if  the  animals  were  present. 

Three  times  in  the  coarse  of  the  night  they  offer  a 
prayer,  while  throwing  tobacco  upon  the  smothered  flames, 
asking  that  the  people  may  be  protected  from  all  harm, 
and  if  they  receive  wounds  that  the  medicine  may  be  ef- 
fectual in  healing  them. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  ceremonies  the  doors  are 
locked,  and  no  one  is  allowed  to  enter  or  leave  the  house 
while  they  continue.  Neither  is  any  one  allowed  to  sleep, 
as  this  would  spoil  the  medicine.  The  feast  begins  just 
before  dawn  of  day.  The  master  of  ceremonies  first  takes 
a  deer's  head,  and  biting  o£f  a  piece,  imitates  the  cry  of 
the  crow,  and  passes  the  head  of  the  animal  to  another, 
who  does  the  same,  till  all  have  tasted,  and  imitated  the 
peculiar  note  of  some  bird  or  animal. 

As  soon  as  it  begins  to  be  light,  the  presiding  officer 
takes  a  duck's  bill,  and  dipping  it  full  of  the  medicine, 
gives  it  to  each  one  present,  who  puts  it  in  a  bit  of  skin, 
and  wrapping  it  in  several  coverings,  keeps  it  carefully  till 
the  next  semi-annual  feast.  The  skin  of  a  panther  is  pre- 
ferred for  the  first  envelope,  if  it  can  be  obtained. 

Those  who  take  a  part  in  the  ceremonies  are  medicine 
MEN ;  Chiefs  are  allowed  to  be  present,  and  any  others 
who  have  been  cured  of  any  disease  by  the  medicine. 

Without  the  building,  the  young  people  gather  for 
merriment,  and  the  fragments  of  the  feast  are  given  to 
them  when  it  is  finished. 

When  the  medicine  is  used  which  is  described  in  the 
second  legend,  the  tune  is  sung  which  was  heard  at  its 


i  I 


I ':•■•', ' 


(/■ 


no 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


I 


'I' 

'f,i 


discovery,  both  at  the  ceremonies  of  the  feast  and  the  time 
of  administering  it. 

They  seem  to  think  the  ceremonies  effectual  in  making 
the  medicinal  qualities  of  the  compound  imperishable. 
Each  medicine  man  has  a  large  quantity  which  he  keeps 
in  a  bag,  and  in  order  not  to  exhaust  the  whole,  now  and 
then  adds  pulverized  corn  roots,  squash  vines,  &c.,  and 
whenever  it  is  administered,  several  persons  assemble  and 
sing.  Both  kinds  are  considered  especially  useful  in  heal- 
ing wounds  received  in  war. 

In  reading  the  first  legend,  there  will  be  seen  very 
humorous  allusions  to  the  habits  of  the  pigeon,  the  heron, 
and  crow,  and  the  whole  is  a  curious  invention,  inspiring 
faith  in  the  means  used  for  healing,  and  I  have  seen  many 
who  af&rmed  that  they  had  tested  the  wonderful  powers 
of  each  1 

No.  1. 

There  once  lived  a  man  who  was  a  great  hunter.  His 
generosity  was  the  theme  of  praise  in  all  the  country,  for 
he  not  only  supplied  his  own  family  with  food,  but  dis- 
tributed game  among  his  friends  and  neighbors,  and  even 
called  the  birds  and  the  animals  of  the  forest  to  partake 
of  his  abundance.  For  this  reason  he  received  the  ap- 
pellation of  "  Protector  of  birds  and  animals." 

He  lived  a  hunter^s  life  till  war  broke  out  between 
his  own  and  some  distant  nation,  and  then  he  took  the 
war-path.  He  was  as  brave  a  warrior  as  skilful  hunter, 
and  slew  a  great  multitude  of  the  enemy,  till  all  were  ly- 
ing dead  around  him,  except  one,  who  was  a  mighty  man 
of  valor ^  and  in  an  unguarded  moment  the  hunter  received 
a  blow  from  his  tomahawk,  in  the  head,  which  felled  him 
to  the  earth.     His  enemy  then  took  his  scalp  and  fled. 

Some  of  his  own  party  had  seen  what  befell  him,  and, 


INDIAN   LEGEND. 


Ill 


supposing  him  dead,  had  left  him  on  the  field  of  battle  ; 
but  a  Fox  who  wandered  this  way  immediately  recognized 
his  old  benefactor.  Sorrowful  indeed  was  he  to  find  him 
slain,  and  began  to  revolve  in  his  mind  some  means  of 
restoring  him  to  life.  "  Perhaps,"  said  he,  "  some  of  my 
friends  may  know  of  a  medicine  by  which  his  wounds  may 
be  healed,  and  he  may  live  again."  So  saying,  he  ran 
into  the  forest  and  uttered  the  death  lament^  which  was 
the  signal  for  all  the  animals  to  congregate.  From  far 
and  near  they  came,  till  hundreds  and  thousands  of  every 
name  had  assembled  around  the  body  of  the  hunter,  eagerly 
inquiring  what  had  happened.  The  Fox  explains  how 
he  had  accidentally  come  that  way  and  found  their  friend 
stretched  lifeless  upon  the  earth.  The  animals  draw  near 
and  examine  him  more  closely,  to  be  sure  that  life  is  extinct. 
They  roll  him  over  and  over  upon  the  ground  and  are 
satisfied  that  he  is  dead — there  is  not  a  single  sign  of  life. 

"  Then  they  hold  a  grand  council,  of  which  the  Bear 
is  speaker.  When  all  arc  ready  to  listen,  he  asks  if  any 
one  present  is  acquainted  with  any  medicine  which  would 
restore  the  dead  man  to  life.  With  great  alacrity  each 
one  examines  his  medicine-box,  but  finds  nothing  adapted 
to  this  purpose.  Being  defeated  in  their  noble  object  of 
restoring  their  friend,  all  join  in  a  mournful  howl — a 
requiem  for  the  dead.  This  attracted  a  singing  bird — the 
Oriole,  who  came  quickly  to  learn  the  cause  of  the  assem- 
bling of  this  great  concourse,  and  their  great  lamentation. 
The  Bear  made  known  the  calamity  which  had  befallen 
them,  and,  as  the  birds  would  feel  themselves  equally 
afflicted,  he  requested  the  Oriole  to  flee  away  and  invite 
all  the  feathered  tribes  to  come  to  the  council,  and  see  if 
their  united  wisdom  cannot  devise  a  remedy  that  will  re- 
store their  friend  to  life. 

Soon  are  assembled  all  the  birds  of  the  air,  even  the 


I  I 


Th  « 


112 


THE    IROQTTOIS. 


:( 


i; 


Great  Eagle  of  the  Iroquois,  who  is  seldom  induced  to 
appear  upon  the  earth,  hastens  to  pay  her  respects  to  the 
remains  of  the  renowned  and  benevolent  hunter.  All 
being  satisfied  that  he  was  really  dead,  the  united  council 
of  birds  and  animals,  which  remained  convened,  decided 
that  his  scalp  must  be  recovered,  saying,  any  bird  or 
animal  who  pleased  might  volunteer  to  go  upon  this  holy 
mission.  The  Fox  was  the  first  to  offer  his  services,  and 
departed  full  of  hope  that  his  zeal  would  be  crowned  with 
success.  But  after  many  days  he  returned,  saying,  he 
could  find  no  traces  of  man's  footsteps — not  a  chick  or 
child  belonged  to  any  settlement.  The  great  love  which 
they  bore  their  friend  prompted  several  others  to  go  upon 
the  same  mission  ;  and  to  the  animals  belonged  the  first 
right,  as  they  had  first  found  him.  But  at  length  the 
birds  were  anxious  to  show  their  devotion,  and  the  Pigeon 
Hawk  begged  leave  to  make  the  first  flight,  as  she  was 
more  swift  of  wing  than  any  other,  and  could  visit  the 
whole  world  in  the  shortest  space  of  time.  They  had 
scarcely  missed  him  when  he  returned.  He  said  he  had 
been  over  the  entire  earth  and  found  it  not ;  but  they  did 
not  consider  his  voyage  satisfactory,  as  he  had  flown  so 
swiftly  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  see  any  thing 
distinctly  by  the  way ! 

Next  the  White  Heron  proposed  that  she  be  sent, 
because  she  was  so  slow  of  wing  that  she  could  see  every 
object  as  she  passed  !  On  her  aerial  voyage  she  discovered 
a  plain  covered  with  the  vines  of  the  wild  bean,  laden  with 
the  delicious  fruit.  It  was  too  great  a  temptation  for  the 
Heron  to  resist,  and  she  descended  to  enjoy  a  feast.  So 
gluttonously  did  she  partake  that  she  could  not  rise  again 
from  the  earth,  and  the  council,  after  many  days  of  anxious 
waiting,  'tailed  for  a  substitute.  Here  the  Crow  came 
forward  and  acknowledged  his  fitness  for  such  an  office, 


INDIAN   LEGEND. 


113 


induced  to 
sets  to  the 
Dter.  All 
;ed  council 
d,  decided 
y  bird  or 
1  this  holy 
rvices,  and 
wned  with 
saying,  he 
I  chick  or 
love  which 
)o  go  upon 
d  the  first 
length  the 
he  Pigeon 
,s  she  was 
I  visit  the 
They  had 
id  he  had 
,t  they  did 
flown  so 
any  thing 

)  be  sent, 
see  every 
iiscovered 
laden  with 
on  for  the 
feast.  So 
rise  again 
Df  anxious 
row  came 
an  office, 


as  he  also  was  slow  of  wing  and  was  accustomed  to  hover 
over  settlements^  and  to  discern  them  afar  off !  and  he 
would  not  be  suspected  of  any  particular  design  if  he 
should  linger  near  the  one  that  contained  the  scalp  ! 

The  warrior  who  possessed  the  coveted  treasure,  knew 
the  birds  and  animals  were  holding  a  council  on  the  field 
of  battle  to  devise  means  to  recover  it ;  but  when  the 
crow  drew  near  he  was  not  alarmed.  The  smoke  of  the 
wigwams  indicated  a  settlement,  and  as  the  crow  sailed 
lazily  through  the  air  at  a  great  height  above  the  roofs  of 
the  cabins,  he  espied  a  scalp  which  he  knew  must  be  the 
one  he  sought,  stretched  out  to  dry. 

After  various  unsuccessful  stratagems,  he  was  able  to 
seize  it,  and  flew  away  to  exhibit  his  trophy  to  the 
council. 

Now  they  attempt  to  fit  it  to  the  head ;  but,  being 
dry,  it  is  impossible,  and  search  is  made  to  find  something 
with  which  to  moisten  it ;  but  it  is  in  vain.  Then  slowly 
moves  forward  the  Great  Eagle,  and  bids  them  listen  to 
her  words : 

"  My  wings  are  never  furled  ;  night  and  day,  for  years 
and  hundreds  of  years,  the  dews  of  heaven  have  been 
collecting  upon  my  back,  as  I  sat  in  my  nest,  above  the 
clouds,  and  perhaps  these  waters  may  have  a  virtue  no 
earthly  fountain  can  possess ;  we  will  see." 

Then  she  plucked  a  feather  from  her  wing  and  dipped 
it  in  the  dewy  elixir,  which  was  applied  to  the  shrivelled 
scalp,  and  lo  1  it  became  pliable  and  fresh  as  if  just  re- 
moved. Now  it  would  fit,  but  there  must  be  a  healing 
power  to  cause  the  flesh  to  unite,  and  again  to  awaken  life. 

All  are  anxious  to  do  something  in  this  great  work, 
and  therefore  all  go  forth  to  bring  rare  leaves  and  flowers 
and  seeds  and  bark,  the  flesh  of  animals  and  the  brains 
of  birds,  to  form  a  healing  mixture.     When  they  return 


114 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


i*  ■ 


**':'■ 


%  :<•• 


Ifiii; 


i  *i 


it  is  prepared,  and  being  moistened  with  the  dew  is  applied 
to  the  scalp,  and  instantly  it  adheres  and  becomes  firm. 
They  cause  the  hunter  to  sit  up,  and  he  looks  around  in 
astonishment  upon  his  numerous  friends,  unable  to  divine 
the  meaning  of  so  strange  an  assemblage. 

Then  they  bid  him  stand  upon  his  feet,  and  tell  him 
how  he  was  found  dead  upon  the  plain,  and  how  great  was 
the  lamei.^u,i<Ion  of  all  those  who  had  so  long  experienced 
his  kindness,  and  the  efforts  they  had  made  to  restore 
him.  They  then  give  him  the  compound  which  had  been 
the  means  of  bringing  him  again  to  life,  saying  "  it  was 
the  gift  of  the  Great  Spirit  to  man.  He  alone  had 
directed  them  in  the  affairs  of  the  council ;  had  brought 
the  eagle  to  furnish  the  heavenly  moisture,  and  give  them 
wisdom  in  making  the  preparation,  that  they  might  fur- 
nish to  man  a  medicine  which  should  be  effectual  for  every 
wound.  ' 

Wheii  they  had  finished,  the  animals  departed  to  their 
forest  haunts,  the  eagle  soared  again  to  her  eyry,  and  the 
birds  of  the  air  flew  away  to  their  nests  in  the  tall  trees, 
all  happy  and  rejoicing  that  they  had  accomplished  this 
great  good. 

The  hunter  returned  to  his  home  and  spread  abroad 
the  news  of  the  miracle,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  wonder- 
ful medicine,  which  is  used  to  this  day  among  the  Iroquois, 
who  are  the  favorites  of  the  Great  Spirit. 


No.  2. 

An  Indian  hunter  went  forth  to  hunt,  and  as  he  wan- 
dered in  the  forest  he  heard  a  strain  of  beautiful  music  far 
off  among  the  trees.  He  listened  but  could  not  tell  whence 
it  came,  and  inew  it  could  not  be  by  any  human  voice,  or 
from  any  iLstrument  he  had  ever  heard.    As  he  came 


A   HUNTING   LEGEND. 


115 


near  it  ceased.    The  next  evening  he  went  forth  again,  but 
he  hea  '  not  the  music,  and  again,  but  in  vain. 

Then  came  the  Great  Spirit  to  him  in  a  dream  and  told 
him  he  must  fast,  and  wash  himself  till  he  was  purified, 
aad  then  he  might  go  forth,  and  he  would  hear  again  the 
music.  So  he  purified  himself  and  went  again  among 
the  darkest  trees  of  the  forest,  and  soon  his  ear  caught 
the  sweet  strains,  and  as  he  drew  near  they  became  more 
beautiful,  and  he  listened  till  he  had  learned  them,  and 
could  make  the  same  sweet  sounds.  Then  he  saw  that  it 
was  a  plant,  with  a  tall  green  stem  and  long  tapering  leaves. 
He  took  his  knife  and  cut  the  stalk,  but  ere  he  had 
scarcely  finished,  it  healed  and  was  the  same  as  before.  He 
cut  it  again,  and  again  it  healed,  and  then  he  knew  that 
it  would  heal  diseases,  and  he  took  it  home  and  dried  it 
by  the  fire,  and  pulverized  it ;  and  applying  a  few  particles 
of  it  to  a  dangerous  wound,  no  sooner  had  it  touched  the 
flesh  than  it  was  whole.  Thus  the  Great  Spirit  taught 
the  Indian  the  nature  of  medicinal  plauts,  and  directed 
him  where  they  were  to  be  found. 


A    HUNTING    LEGEND. 

One  of  the  ancient  Grecian  philosophers,  whose  life 
and  sayings  are  deemed  worthy  of  recording,  once  aston- 
ished  the  people  by  relating  the  adventures  he  had  expe- 
rienced on  a  long  journey  through  many  countries,  where 
he  met  "  speaking  trees,  pigmies,  phoenixes,  satyrs  and 
dragons,"  and  many  other  things  equally  marvellous,  of 
which  I  could  not  help  being  reminded  when  I  heard  the 
hunter's  legend. 

Of  Anaxagoras,  another  Grecian  philosopher,  it  is  re- 
lated as  one  of  his  predictions,  that  on  a  certain  day  a 
stone  would  fall  from  the  sun,  and  on  the  appointed  day, 
a  stone  did  fall  from  the  sun  in  a  part  of  Thrace,  near  the 


116 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


r'J-  I 


'.1 

f 

7  ; 

v.. 

;  r 

.1  V 


'ft 


'■,  mh 


river  iEgos.  And  Plutarch  states  that  this  stone  was  not 
only  shown,  but  in  his  time  greatly  reverenced  by  the  Pelo- 
ponnesians.  At  another  time  it  was  asserted  that  a  large 
stone  fell  from  heaven,  and  Anaxagoras  said  that  the  whole 
heavens  was  composed  of  stones,  and  that  by  its  rapid  rev- 
olutions they  were  all  held  together,  and  when  those  revo- 
lutions get  slower,  they  fall  down. 

At  another  time  he  said,  when  the  weather  was  very 
fair,  that  there  would  be  a  heavy  rain  and  storm,  and  went 
to  the  Olympic  games  in  a  shaggy  skin  or  leathern  dress, 
prepared  for  such  a  change ;  and  as  it  did  rain  according 
to  his  predictions,  the  people  honored  him  as  though  he 
possessed  supernatural  knowledge. 

But  the  Indian  philosophers  tell  the  wonderful  expe- 
rience of  the  hunter  to  make  exaggeration  and  falsehood 
contemptible  and  ridiculous. 

ADVENTURES    OF   THE    HUNTER     HO-CHA-GAH. 

Ho-cha-gah  was  a  hunter  of  great  renown.  His  wife 
had  plenty  of  venison.  In  his  tent  were  many  furs  and 
nice  skins,  and  the  story  of  his  adventures  has  come  down 
through  many  generations. 

He  built  him  a  little  hut  beside  a  lake,  where  the  dark 
forest  came  down  to  its  silvery  border,  and  stretched  far 
away  over  the  mountain.  Every  day  he  took  his  bow  and 
quiver  of  arrows,  and  went  forth  to  find  the  deer  or 
the  wolf,  and  trap  the  beaver  or  the  otter,  but  this 
time  he  was  not  successful.  Many  months  he  lingered  in 
hopes  to  find  something  to  reward  his  labors,  but  in  vain. 
The  spring  came  and  he  must  return  home.  But  he 
thought  at  least  he  would  have  something  new  to  relate, 
so  he  resolved  to  launch  upon  the  water  a  new-fashioned 
boat,  and  see  whither  it  would  conduct  him.     The  food 


I 


s 


i)VENTUWRI»    OP    A    »IUNTT:1. 


117 


e  was  not 
the  Pelo- 
at  a  large 
the  whole 
rapid  rev- 
bose  revo- 

was  very 
,  and  went 
3rn  dress, 
according 
hough  he 

rful  expe- 
falsehood 


in. 

His  wife 

furs  and 

ome  down 

e  the  dark 

etched  far 

3  bow  and 

deer  or 

but  this 

ngered  in 

it  in  vain. 

But  he 

to  relate, 
fashioned 

The  food 


which  he  had  not  consu  <t  he  er  ikged  in  lags  of  slippery 
elm  and  sank  them  in  le  water  :hat  they  might  be  pre- 
served should  he  return  airain  t  hunt  beside  tho  lake. 
Himself  he  inclosed  in  a  bottle  of  the  same  material  and 
set  out  on  his  floating  expedition. 

For  a  long  time  he  glided  smoothly  over  the  surface, 
but  at  length  he  experienced  a  strange  sensation  as  if  he 
were  sailing  through  the  air.  Then  he  struck  a  rock,  and 
then  another,  bounding  along  like  a  billow,  till  he  was 
again  upon  the  placid  stream.  The  noise  was  like  thunder, 
and  he  knew  he  must  have  descended  from  a  great  height 
with  the  foam  of  waters. 

Soon  be  was  cast  upon  the  beach,  and  now  wished  to 
come  out  of  his  hiding  place,  for  he  was  faint  for  want  of 
food.  But  he  could  not  open  his  prison,  and  feared  he 
must  die  without  relating  his  adventures.  But  he  was 
awakened  one  morning  by  a  noise  like  the  beak  of  a  bird, 
against  the  side  of  the  bottle  which  was  now  dry  and  hard, 
and  soon  the  light  entered,  and  he  saw  a  crow  picking  its 
way  to  him  in  hopes  of  finding  food. 

Now  he  was  able  to  extricate  himself  and  came  forth,  and 
saw  that  he  had  came  safely  over  the  cataract  of  Niagara  I 

With  this  he  went  home  and  astonished  his  friends, 
who  looked  upon  him  as  almost  a  superior  being,  and  be- 
lieved he  was  miraculously  preserved  by  the  Great  Spirit. 

His  love  of  adventures  was  not  satisfied,  and  in  a  little 
time  he  went  again  to  the  forest  and  made  his  camp  by 
the  lake,  where  he  had  been  before  so  unsuccessful  in 
hunting.  Now  he  found  plenty  of  game,  and  when  spring 
came,  he  thought  he  would  try  still  another  mode  of  voy- 
aging— he  would  like  to  fly  through  the  air.  Seeing  a 
flock  of  geese  upon  the  waters,  he  thought  if  he  were  se- 
cured to  their  feet  he  might  rise  with  them  and  be  carried 
along  through  the  aerial  regions,  and  look  down  upon  the 


■>';  ■ 

''■■: 


;  *•' 


pi 


i  ; 
1  Jf:  ■ 


ji  ,,1';;  ; 

■'1st- 


118 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


valleys  beneath.  So  he  took  strips  of  bark  and  stealthily 
crept  into  the  water,  and  swimming  along,  suddenly  encir- 
cled them  with  his  string,  and  tied  himself  to  their  feet, 
when  with  a  great  screaming  they  rose  and  he  was  borne 
along  over  mountains,  and  rivers,  and  valleys,  where  he 
saw  strange  people,  and  plains,  and  heard  strange  and 
beautiful  music.  After  awhile  he  was  borne  so  far  aloft, 
that  he  could  scarcely  breathe ;  then  he  severed  the  string 
and  descended  again  to  earth.  On  alighting,  he  found 
himself  snugly  settled  in  a  hollow  tree.  He  received  no 
harm,  but  could  see  no  way  of  escape.  For  several  days 
he  was  a  prisoner,  and  again  in  danger  of  starving,  when 
he  heard  voices  and  endeavored  to  speak.  The  noise  he 
made  attracted  the  attention  of  those  who  passed  by,  and 
thinking  it  some  animal,  they  felled  the  tree,  and  lo !  to 
their  astonishment,  it  was  a  man. 

As  soon  as  he  was  set  free,  he  proceeded  on  his  way 
and  came  to  a  large  stream,  the  color  of  which  was  bright 
crimson.  Never  before  had  he  seen  any  thing  so  beauti- 
ful. He  drank  of  it  and  the  taste  was  like  a  ripe  straw- 
berry. He  followed  it  to  its  source,  and  found  it  issued 
from  one  of  these  berries,  the  size  of  which  was  marvel- 
lous, and  gave  rise  to  a  never  failing  rivulet,  to  refresh 
the  hunter  when  he  was  weary  and  found  no  food. 

Again  he  pursued  his  way,  and  whilst  wandering  in 
the  forest  he  saw  something  that  looked  like  a  great 
cloud.  Slowly  it  sailed  to  and  fro,  and  when  it  descended 
he  saw  that  it  was  an  army  of  grasshoppers  each  as  large 
as  a  canoe.     They  were  frightful  to  behold. 

Again  he  thought  he  would  spend  the  winter  in  hunt- 
ing, and  plunged  into  the  thick  forest  where  the  bear  and 
buffalo  made  their  haunts.  But  in  vain  he  bent  his  bow 
and  set  his  trap.  They  all  eluded  his  vigilance.  Then 
in  a  dream  was  suggested  to  him  the  hunter^s  charm. 


'ii... 


liii'illl: 


ADVENTURES   OP    A   HUNTER. 


119 


r 


i  stealthily 
ienly  enoir- 
3  their  feet, 
3  was  home 
8,  where  he 
strange  and 
so  far  aloft, 
jd  the  string 
g,  he  found 
received  no 
leveral  days 
,rving,  when 
Che  noise  he 
3sed  hy,  and 
!,  and  lo !  to 

on  his  way 
1  was  hright 
ig  so  beauti- 
i  ripe  straw- 
dd  it  issued 
was  marvel- 
t,  to  refresh 
■ood. 

wandering  in 
like  a  great 
it  descended 
ach  as  large 

iter  in  hunt- 
ihe  bear  and 
tent  his  bow 
ance.  Then 
ter^s  charm. 


T 


He  used  it,  and  there  came  flocking  to  him  from  all  the 
country  every  animal  of  the  forest,  so  near  that  he  could 
touch  them,  and  so  tame  that  he  could  sleep  in  the  midst 
of  them  unharmed.  Then  he  built  him  a  hut  to  dry  his 
venison,  and  though  he  had  enough,  he  was  still  sur- 
rounded. Every  four-footed  and  creeping  thing  infested 
his  dwelling  till  he  was  obliged  to  flee. 

Again  he  returned  hence  and  related  his  marvellous 
adventures,  which  now  none  believed,  yet  ho  was  not 
satisfied.  His  thirst  for  fame  was  insatiable,  and  his 
egotism  inexhaustible.  Absenting  h'  iself  another  long 
period,  he  returned  with  still  grenV  • 

He  crossed  a  stream  of  r  *  ^  hue,  and  being 

thirsty  drank  of  its  waters,  sa^n  \  ..  .^ihed  at  the  de- 

licious flavor.     On  tracing  it,  h'  issue  from  a 

mandrake  which  was  an  ine^' v ;  uie  lountain,  and  sent 
forth  its  juices  to  refresh  the  wayfarer,  lest  he  faint  in 
the  wilderness. 

Pursuing  his  way  he  saw  a  duck  sailing  upon  a 
dimpling  pool,  and  bent  his  bow  for  its  destruction ;  the 
arrow  passed  through  the  duck,  and  glancing  upon  the 
waters,  pierced  a  deer  that  was  slaking  her  thirst  at  the 
fountain ;  not  having  spent  its  force,  the  arrow  glided  on 
and  entered  a  tree,  making  an  opening  from  which  issued 
a  stream  of  richest  honey.  Here  he  rested  and  enjoyed  a 
feast.  Again  when  sitting  beneath  a  spreading  walnut- 
tree,  he  saw  a  nut  rolling  over  and  over  upon  the  ground ; 
on  striking  it  with  his  tomahawk,  a  seam  was  m  ide  in  the 
shell,  through  which  came  forth  a  bear;  and  then 
another  and  another,  till  six  monsters  of  the  forest  were 
reclining  around  him,  whose  home  was  the  walnut-shell ! 

The  bears  in  the  walnut-shell  remind  us  of  the 
fairies  in  a  hazel-nut  shell,  as  sung  by  Drayton,  our  old 


120 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


I : 


English  poet,  in  the  "  Court  of  Fairy."     In  fear  of  falling 
into  the  hands  of  a  hobgoblin  the  fairies, 


w 


i ' ' 


II 


i. 


^■. 


"  Hop,  and  Mop,  and  Drop,  bo  clear, 
Pip,  and  Trip,  and  Skip,  that  were 
To  Mab,  their  sovereign  dear, 

Her  special  maids  of  honor ; 
Fib,  and  Tib,  and  Prick,  and  Pin, 
Tick,  and  Quick,  and  Jill,  and  Jin, 
Sit,  and  Nit,  and  Wap,  and  Win, 
The  train  that  wait  upon  her. 

"  Upon  a  Grasshopper  they  got, 
And  what  with  awhile  and  with  trot, 
For  hedge  nor  ditch  they  spared  not ; 

But  after  her  they  hie  them. 
A  Cob-web  over  them  they  throw 
To  shield  the  wind  if  it  should  blow, 
Themselves  they  wisely  could  bestow, 
Lest  any  should  espy  them. 

"  At  length  one  chanced  to  find  a  nu^ 
In  the  end  of  which  a  hole  was  cut. 
Which  lay  upon  a  hazel-root. 

There  scattered  by  a  Squirrel, 
Which  out  the  kernel  gotten  had ; 
When  quoth  this  fay,  'Dear  queen,  be  glad, 
Let  Oberon  be  ne'er  so  mad, 

111  set  yoi.  safe  from  peril. 

"  •  Cotne  all  into  this  nut,^  quoth  the, 
*  Come  closely  in,  be  ruled  by  me, 
£ach  one  may  here  a  chooser  be, 

For  room  ye  need  not  wrestle, 
Nor  need  ye  be  together  heapt,' 
So  one  by  one  therein  they  crept, 
And  lying  down  they  soundly  slept 
>  r*?'         Ai  Mf«  as  in  ft  Cattle  I"  '^  '"    ^ 


*%*%>s» 


t 


.a  M  *r     *•  •^■--*i 


..'^  "H^*, 


LEGEND    OF    THE   JO-GO-0. 


121 


'1, 


A   PIGMY     LEGEND. 

The  memory  of  every  son  and  daughter  of  the  Saxons 
will  furnish  abundance  of  fairy  tales  to  correspond  with 
the  most  incredible  of  those  related  around  Indian  fire- 
sides. I  heard,  not  long  since,  a  little  girl  reading  *•  House- 
hold Stories,"  translated  from  the  German,  and  on  reading 
her  an  Indian  legend,  she  exclaimed,  "  Why,  they  are  like  my 
The  stories,"  and  I  was  myself  struck  with  the  resemblance, 
stories  of  "  Little  Red  Ridinghood,"  "The  Frog  Prince," 
"  The  Three  Little  Men  in  the  Wood,"  and  a  thousand 
others,  have  been  the  delight  of  Christian  children  for  cen- 
turies, and  nothing  a  heathen  can  relate  is  more  ridiculous 
than  "  Mother  Goose's  Melodies."  Yet  they  are  a  part 
of  our  national  literature.  No  man,  however  wise,  would 
consider  himself  educated  who  could  not  say — 

"  There  was  nn  old  woman,  and  she,  and  she, 
And  out  of  her  elbow  grew  an  apple  tree." 

"  Old  mother  Hubbard 
Went  to  the  cupboard,  «Jcc." 

"  The  Midsummer  Night's  Dream"  of  Shakspeare,  or 
Spenser's  "  Fairy  Queen,"  have  not  been  the  less  admired 
because  they  were  utterly  improbable.  I  cannot  relate 
any  thing  so  beautiful  in  the  way  of  Indian  fairy  stories 
but  those  which  I  relate,  and  hundreds  which  have  never 
been  related,  are  exceedingly  beautiful  in  their  own  met- 
aphorical language ;  and  I  almost  falter  in  attempting  to 
convey  any  idea  of  their  imaginative  creations,  in  English. 
The  following  are  faint  transcripts  of  the  original : 

LEGEND  OF  THE  JO-GO-0,  OR  PIGMIES    DESTROYING  THE  MON- 
STER BUFFALOES. 

The  Pigmies  were  little  folk^  who  lived  far  away  to  the 
6 


4 


1;  ' 


m: 


¥/    ' 


t-;. 


1 V'  ■  f 


:-v*!  ;  • 


122 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


north  among  the  clefts  of  the  rocks.  Ote-ho-wegeh,  "  The 
cold  regions,"  designated  the  place  of  their  abode,  because  it 
was  so  cold  they  could  not  grow.  So  they  were  not  more 
than  two  feet  in  height,  but  they  were  very  powerful,  and 
ever  on  the  alert  doing  good.  Especially  were  they  the 
friends  of  the  red  man,  and  knew  if  dangers  threatened 
him  in  any  part  of  the  country. 

The  Do-ge-ya-go-wa,  or  Great  Buffaloes,  had  their 
dwellings  in  the  earth,  and  went  from  place  to  place  in 
subterranean  walks. 

Three  of  these  monsters  were  on  their  way  to  the  Salt 
Lakes  of  the  south,  when  three  of  the  Pigmies,  who  al- 
ways warred  with  giants  and  monsters,  snakes,  lizards  and 
every  thing  prejudicial  to  man,  set  forth  to  destroy  them. 
To  be  one  day  at  the  north,  and  the  next  far  away  thou- 
sands of  miles  to  the  south,  was  a  trifling  feat  for  them  to 
perform,  so  swiftly  did  they  go  in  their  fairy  canoes. 

One  day  an  Indian  maiden  was  dipping  water  from  a 
little  brook  that  flowed  into  the  0-hee-yo,  and  as  sho  bent 
over  the  stream,  the  water  reflected  a  strange  appearance. 
On  looking  up  she  beheld  the  three  Pigmies  just  alighting 
near  where  she  stood.  She  knew  immediately  that  there 
was  danger,  for  they  never  at  any  other  time  made  them- 
selves visible  to  mortal  eyes. 

These  monster  buffaloes  fed  only  on  human  flesh,  and 
were  therefore  a  great  terror,  as  they  could  suddenly  rise 
up  out  of  the  ground  and  destroy  whole  settlements,  be- 
fore there  was  time  for  any  to  fleo.  The  Pigmies  knew 
where  they  had  gone,  and  that  they  would  soon  return, 
and  bade  the  mc'den  fleo  to  inform  her  people,  that  they 
might  be  ready  for  flight  if  they  should  not  succeed  in 
their  mission ;  bu^  told  her  they  would  meet  her  again  at 
the  stream  and  inform  her  if  they  were  able  to  destroy 
them. 


/!/ 


A    WAR   LEGEND. 


123 


regeb, "  The 
de,  because  it 
ere  not  more 
powerful,  and 
vere  they  the 
•s  threatened 

es,  had  their 
3e  to  place  in 

ay  to  the  Salt 
rmies,  who  al- 
}S,  lizards  and 
destroy  them, 
'ar  away  thou- 
at  for  them  to 
1^  canoes. 

water  from  a 
id  as  she  bent 
'Q  appearance. 

just  alighting 
tely  that  there 
le  made  them- 

nan  flesh,  and 
suddenly  rise 
Qttlements,  be- 
Pigmies  knew 
_id  soon  return, 
)ple,  that  they 
Qot  succeed  in 
t  her  again  at 
)le  to  destroy 


When  they  had  finished  their  message,  with  one  stroke 
of  their  paddles  the  canoe  soared  into  the  air  and  sailed 
along  over  the  tree  tops  a  great  distance,  and  then  de- 
scended again  to  the  water,  when  another  stroke  bore  it 
again  aloft. 

When  they  reached  the  place  where  the  buffaloes  ap- 
peared, they  cut  down  the  largest  hickory  trees  and  split 
them  in  Iwo  parts  for  their  bows,  and  made  them  arrows 
of  the  tallest  pines  of  the  forest.  With  these  they  pierced 
them  and  sent  the  arrows  with  such  force  that  they  passed 
through  the  monsters,  who  fell,  crushing  whole  forests  be- 
neath them.  From  their  blood  arose»the  small  buffaloes, 
Doge-ya-go,  while  their  bones  have  remained  undecayed 
for  r.ntold  centuries. 

The  Pigmies  having  accomplished  their  purpose,  re- 
turned to  inform  the  maiden  at  the  stream,  who  listened 
to  their  story  with  delight,  and  ran  to  .announce  the  glad 
tidings  to  her  people,  and  then  departed  to  their  northern 
home. 

All  the  little  buffaloes  from  far  and  near  came  regu- 
larly to  dance  on  the  spot  where  their  progenitors  were 
slain,  and  the  Indian,  as  he  passes  the  place,  shows  a  par- 
ticle from  some  mammoth  bone,  to  wear  as  a  charm  to 
procure  him  whatever  he  desires — the  love  of  a  beautiful 
maiden — success  on  the  war  path,  or  plenty  of  game  in  his 
hunting  excursions. 

A  WAR    LEGEND. 

In  this  story  is  developed  tho  principle  upon  which  war 
was  waged  among  the  Iroquois.  Revenge  for  a  great  in- 
jury was  the  cause  of  tho  beginnings  of  strife.  Then  sub- 
jugation for  the  sake  of  peace,  like  the  Romans  of  old, 
and  the  Iroquois  have  been  justly  called  the  "  Romans  of 


I  cat 


I:  ' 


W^ 


pi 

li'.i' 


m 


W 


ihi 


III! 


124 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


America."  There  was  something  in  their  proud  and  dig- 
nified bearing,  in  tLeir  national  policy,  and  their  warlike 
exploits,  like  the  people  who  extended  their  arms  into 
every  civilized  and  uncivilized  land. 

In  the  words  of  the  poet,  who  has  given  metrical 
beauty  to  their  legends,  and  added  his  own  to  their  lofty 
enthusiasm : 

"  Roman  remains  in  Britain,  with  their  double  lines  of 
circumvallation,  and  the  Druidic  circles  of  moss-covered 
stones,  are  objects,  not  more  interesting  to  the  antiquary 
than  the  mighty  tumuli  of  the  west ;  and  the  ruins  of 
walled  towns  in  t^e  wilds  of  Wisconsin.  What  are  a 
few  mouldering  abbeys  and  falling  turrets,  compared 
with  the  colossal  remains  of  empires  in  Central  America  ? 
Poet  and  historian  have  lavished  their  descriptive  skill  on 
the  burial  rites  of  Alaric,  whose  bones  repose  in  the  sandy 
bed  of  the  Busentinus,  but  not  less  imposing  was  the  fu- 
neral of  Blackbird,  the  Oharaa  Chief,  who  was  inhumed 
bestriding  his  war-horse  in  a  hill  sepulchre  that  overlooks 
the  Missouri. 

"  Red  Jacket  sitting  in  tears  on  a  fallen  oak,  viewing 
the  cleared  fields  of  the  white  man,  after  a  fruitless  hunt 
for  game  in  and  around  the  haunts  of  his  youth,  was  a 
nobler  spectacle  of  sorrow  than  even  Marius  reclining 
amid  the  ruins  of  Carthage." 

And  Jefferson  says :  "  Before  we  condemn  the  Indian 
of  this  continent  as  wanting  genius,  we  must  consider  that 
letters  had  not  yet  been  introduced  among  them.  If  the 
indi?.n  at  this  time  is  compared  with  Europeans  north  of 
the  Alps,  ^^hen  the  Roman  arms  and  artsfi'-st  crossed  the 
mountains,  the  comparison  would  bo  very  unequal,  because 
£urope  at  that  time  was  swarming  vr'xth  numbers ;  because 
numbers  produce  emulation  and  multiply  chances  of  im* 
proyement,  aqd  one  improv3ment  begets  another.     Yet  I 


WAR   DANCE. 


125 


Ld  and  dig- 

jir  warlike 

arms  into 

n   metrical 
their  lofty 

ble  lines  of 
loss-covered 
e  antiquary 
le  ruins  of 
iVhat  are  a 
5,  compared 
1  America  ? 
tive  skill  on 
in  the  sandy 
was  the  fu- 
ras  inhumed 
at  overlooks 

oak,  viewing 
uitless  hunt 
youth,  was  a 
us  reclining 

1  the  Indian 
jonsider  that 
lem.  If  the 
ans  north  of 
t  crossed  the 
qual,  because 
lers ;  because 
lances  of  im- 
ther.     Yet  I 


may  safely  ask,  how  many  great  poets — how  many  able 
mathematicians — how  many  great  inventors  in  arts  and 
sciences  had  Europe  north  of  the  Alps  then  produced  ? 
And  it  was  sixteen  centuries  after  this  before  a  Newton 
could  be  found." 

The  manner  in  which  the  legend  represents  the  Indian 
warrior  meeting  death  at  the  stake  is  the  manner  in  which 
every  Indian  warrior  died.  No  refinement  or  duration  of 
torture  could  extort  from  him  a  groan.  The  faith  of  the 
Christian  martyr  supports  him  in  the  hour  of  trial ;  but 
the  Indian  excels  him  in  defying  his  tormentors,  with  only 
his  own  dauntless  spirit  to  sustain  him ;  he  will  die,  too, 
rather  than  surrender,  though  he  knows  he  will  fall  into 
the  hands  of  those  who,  looking  upon  him  as  a  fallen  foe, 
will  be  merciful. 

The  war-dance,  so  often  alluded  to  in  Indian  story,  is 
paid  to  be  beyond  description  the  most  exciting  and  in- 
spiring of  all  theatrical  scenes.  It  is  the  acting  of  war. 
The  song,  which  kindles  enthusiasm,  is  first  sung,  with 
the  same  motive  and  the  same  eflfect  as  the  martial  music 
awakes  it  echoes  on  Christian  plains,  and  then  follows 
all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war :  arrows  fly  thick 
and  fast,  the  tomahawk  is  wielded,  the  dead  and  dying 
strew  the  battle-field,  and  by  various  devices  of  paint  and 
false  scalps,  hundreds  are  bleeding,  when  follows  the 
shout  of  victory  and  the  dirge  for  the  slain.  Those  who 
have  witnessed  it  say  it  is  impossible  for  one  who  is  not 
an  actor  to  realize  that  it  can  be  any  thing  less  than  a  real 
battle.  Those  who  pass  through  the  initiatory  p  jcess  of 
being  trained  for  warriors  at  a  military  school,  can  imagine 
the  influence  of  the  war-dance  upon  those  to  whom  war  is 
the  only  field  of  glory.  I  wish  I  could  transfer  to  my  paper 
something  of  the  enthusiasm  with  which  an  Indian  relates 
the  legend. 


126 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


THE   VIRGIN   OP   WAR. 


There  lived  an  aged  Indian  almost  alone  in  the  forest, 
with  his  wife  and  two  sons.  They  had  never  heard  of 
war  or  dissension ;  then  the  woods  echoed  only  the  hunter's 
happy  song,  and  the  sweet  melodies  of  the  birds.  But 
there  came  a  vision  to  the  father  concerning  the  future, 
when  nations  would  hate  one  another,  and  the  wilderness 
would  resound  to  the  shrill  war-whoop,  and  the  tomahawk 
and  scalping-knife  would  be  used  among  his  people. 

So  he  called  his  sons  and  bade  them  listen  to  his  in- 
structions. He  made  a  bow  and  a  quiver  of  arrows,  and 
taught  them  skill  in  the  use  of  them.  He  made  a  war 
club,  and  told  them  if  they  should  be  assailed  they  could 
with  this  slay  their  enemies.  He  gave  them  a  scalping- 
knife  and  said,  '^  with  this  you  can  secure  the  trophies  of 
your  victories."  Then  came  the  war-song  and  the  dance 
in  exultation  of  their  triumphs.  The  children  listened 
eagerly  to  their  father's  words,  though  they  understood 
little  of  the  tendency  of  his  teachings ;  they  beca:  le  ex]>  ert 
in  the  use  of  all  the  instruments  their  father  had  made^ 
and  indulged  daily  in  the  amusements  which  this  practice 
afforded  them,  while  their  mother  looked  on  in  wonder  at 
all  these  new  things  which  had  never  before  been  seen  by 
human  eyes. 

One  day  there  came  a  stranger  to  their  lodge  when 
the  old  man  and  his  sons  were  in  the  forest.  He  said  to 
the  wife  he  wished  to  meet  her  husband  in  order  to  take 
counsel  with  him,  and  if  he  would  come  to  the  little  brook 
which  ran  through  a  distant  field,  he  would  see  a  large 
tree  in  the  water ;  he  must  come  and  place  his  right  foot 
upon  the  tree,  and  he  himself  would  place  his  left  foot 
upon  the  tree,  and  thus  they  would  talk  of  the  things 
which  he  had  come  to  say.     But  before  her  husb'*nd  left 


H. 


THR  VIRGiN   OP   WAR. 


127 


he  forest, 
■  heard  of 
e  hunter's 
rds.  But 
;he  future, 
wilderness 
tomahawk 
»ple. 

to  his  in- 
rrows,  and 
lade  a  war 
they  could 
I  scalping- 
iirophies  of 
[  the  dance 
m  listened 
understood 
a  ae  ex]>  ert 

had  made, 
lis  practice 
I  wonder  at 
jen  seen  by 

lodge  when 
Ho  said  to 
der  to  take 
little  brook 
see  a  large 
s  right  foot 
lis  left  foot 
the  things 
iusb'*nd  left 


his  lodge  she  must  take  the  bow  which  he  had  been  mak- 
ing and  cut  the  string  nearly  o%  but  say  nothing  to  him 
about  it,  for  a  great  evil  would  come  upon  her  if  she  did 
not  in  all  things  obey  his  directions  ;  and  here  the  stranger 
looked  very  fiercely  upon  her,  so  that  she  trembled  and 
did  not  dare  to  disobey. 

When  her  husband  returned  she  gave  him  the  message, 
and  before  ha  set  out  to  meet  the  messenger  she  secretly 
cut  his  bow-string  and  did  not  dream  of  evil. 

The  old  man  departed,  and  all  day  and  night  they 
waited,  but  he  did  not  return.  The  children  said,  "  what 
has  become  of  our  father  ?  Let  us  go  and  seek  him."  So 
they  took  their  bows  and  quivers  and  went  to  the  little 
brook,  and  there  saw  their  father's  body  lyin^^  in  the  water 
full  of  arrows.  Then  they  knew  that  he  had  been  killed, 
and  that  the  stranger  was  their  enemy.  When  they  met 
upon  the  fallen  tree  the  stranger  pushed  him  into  the 
water,  and  when  he  attempted  to  use  his  bow,  the  string 
snapped,  and  his  enemy  overcame  him.  He  also  took 
from  him  his  bow  and  quiver  and  now  had  gone  far  away. 
"  We  must  be  revenged ! "  exclaimed  the  eldest  of  the 
boys ;  "  this  is  what  our  father  taught  us.  We  must 
seek  him  who  has  slain  our  father,  and  take  his  scalp." 

They  took  the  body  home  and  mourned  and  wept 
many  days.  Then  they  commenced  with  greater  intereijii 
to  sing  the  war-song  and  perform  the  dance,  and  wield 
the  tomahawk,  and  their  mother  reproved  them.  But 
they  said,  this  is  what  our  father  taught  us  we  must  do ; 
and  now  we  must  go  and  seek  him  who  has  slain  our 
father.     We  must  be  revenged. 

Then  tbi;y  sharpened  their  arrows,  and  strung  their 
bows,  and  departed  on  the  war-path — not  to  gain  fame  or 
glory — not  to  conquer  for  the  sake  of  extending  their 
dominions — not  to  slay  to  gratify  a  thirst  for  blood  ;  but 


128 


TUi:    IROQUOIS. 


(■;■■ 


to  be  avenged  for  a  family  wrong.  They  took  the  way 
their  &ther  went,  and  after  many  days  found  the  people 
of  the  stranger,  towards  whom  their  hatred  had  been  ex- 
cited, and  shot  the  first  man  that  came  within  thr  Tight 
of  an  arrow.  In  taking  the  scalp  they  were  not  expert, 
but  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  trophy  which  was  to  tell 
of  their  success,  and  holding  it  up  in  sight  of  their  enemies, 
exclaimed,  "  Follow  us,  but  ye  will  not  overtake  us ;  thus 
shall  it  be  done  unto  those  who  destroy  life  ! " 

This  the  multitude  understood  not,  and  looked  in 
astonishment  at  the  bleeding  symbol  of  their  vengeance. 
They  returned  and  laid  the  scalp  at  the  feet  of  their 
grandmother,  for  it  tis  her  .<ion  who  had  been  killed,  and 
to  her  they  brought  the  compensation — blood  for  blood, 
had  been  shed.  They  then  prepared  it  as  their  father  had 
directed,  aod  hung  it  upon  the  roof  of  their  dwelling,  as 
the  testimony  of  their  valor. 

But  they  were  not  content.  They  had  tasted  of  ex- 
citement, and  panted  again  for  the  war-path.  But  now 
their  enemies  were  prepared,  and  one  was  taken  prisoner, 
yet  they  knew  not  what  to  do,  for  they  had  never  before 
had  conflicts  with  enemies.  But  the  youthful  warrior  re- 
membered his  father's  instructions  concerning  the  treat- 
ment of  prisoners,  and  told  them  he  would  die  by  fire — 
he  would  be  burned  at  the  stake.  So  with  his  own  hands 
he  piled  the  fagots  and  wound  the  withes  about  his  body, 
and  bade  them  apply  the  torch.  They  looked  with  horror 
upon  the  sceue,  and  pity  upon  his  sufferings,  and  would 
gladly  have  released  him  from  such  torture.  But  he 
defied  them,  saying  it  was  not  in  their  power  to  make  him 
cry  out  for  pain.  He  was  dying  a  warrior's  death,  and 
scorned  to  receive  compassion.  Then  he  threw  his  hands 
in  the  air,  and  sung  the  war-song  till  his  breath  died  away, 
thus  setting  an  example  to  all  who  would  win  honor. 


nor. 


the  way 
le  people 
been  ex- 
;hp  light 
it  expert, 
as  to  tell 
enemies, 
us;  thus 

ooked  in 
engeance. 
,  of  their 
illed,  and 
'or  blood, 
ather  had 
celling,  as 

ed  of  ex- 
But  now 
prisoner, 
er  before 
arrior  re- 
the  treat- 
by  fire — 
wn  hands 
his  body, 
ith  horror 
nd  would 
But  he 
make  him 
leach,  and 
his  hands 
lied  away, 
)nor. 


INDIAN    FIRESIDE. 


129 


Now  the  remaining  brother  must  again  seek  revenge. 
He  induced  a  young  companion  to  join  him,  and  filling 
the  air  with  their  wild  chorus,  they  went  forth  to  slay 
many  in  return  for  him  who  had  fallen  into  their  hands. 
Their  arrows  flew  thick  and  fast,  while  they  concealed 
themselves  from  the  sight  of  those  whom  they  pursued, 
till  many  had  fallen ;  then  they  took  a  prisoner,  and  re- 
turned home. 

He  too  must  die  at  the  stake,  and  though  not  a  war- 
rior, he  imitated  the  example  set  him  by  the  youth  who 
thirsted  for  glory,  and  exulted  in  his  sufferings,  singing 
the  warsong  as  long  as  life  remained. 

His  people  were  now  enraged,  and  plotted  the  destruc- 
tion of  their  enemies.  A  runner  was  sent  to  invite  the 
chiefs  of  this  war-seeking  nation  to  meet  them  at  an  ap- 
pointed place  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  their  difl&cul- 
ties.  But  the  young  warrior  whose  brother  gloried  in 
torture,  said  he  feared  their  treachery,  and  would  not 
allow  the  chiefs  of  his  people  to  fall  into  their  hands. 
No,  the  warriors  should  go  forth  prepared  for  battle.  He 
had  trained  them  in  expectation  of  this  day,  and  they 
were  ready  for  war  and  ready  for  victory.  Then  echoed 
the  war-wboop  through  all  the  forest,  and  they  marched  in 
battle  array  to  lie  in  wait  for  their  enemies. 

They  encamped  on  the  brow  of  a  hill,  arriving  at  the 
designated  time,  but  the  little  band  which  was  to  meet 
them  to  hold  a  council  for  peace  was  nowhere  to  be  seen. 
They  threw  up  a  palisade  for  their  defence,  and  com- 
menced the  festivities  which  were  the  warrior's  pastime. 
What  a  scene  for  their  enemies  who  now  first  looked  from 
their  concealment  upon  the  war  dance.  In  the  midst  of 
the  forest  was  a  great  fire,  around  it  here  and  there  sat 
the  old  men  in  groups,  while  the  young  men  with  their 
painted  cheeks  gleaming  in  the  red  torch-light,  and  the 
6* 


l! 


■J 


,¥. 


130 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


i 

i 

... 

:.,■,   ■ 

I; 
ii 

W- ' 

H' 

.  ''i 

;( 

1^1 

,  ■■■  '■        ! 

j'.i . 

n ' 

IS;-': 


i  • 


I  '! 


bright  flames  waving  over  their  brows,  danced  among  the 
trees  and  sang  the  thrilling  songs  which  stirred  them  to 
daring  deeds,  and  drove  the  fear  of  death  far  away  from 
their  hearts. 

But  whilst  in  the  midst  of  their  rejoicings,  an 
arrow  comes  whizzing  through  the  air.  They  heed  it  not, 
and  continue  their  songs.  Another  is  heard,  and  another, 
but  the  revelry  does  not  cease ;  now  a  strain  is  heard  to 
which  the  shrill  war-whoop  is  the  answer ;  every  bow  is 
strung,  and  a  thousand  arrows  are  sent  like  the  swift 
lightning  back  ujon  the  invaders.  A  fierce  battle  ensues, 
many  warriors  are  slain.  The  enemy  flee  and  are  pursued. 
The  air  is  filled  with  the  shouts  of  the  victors.  The 
ground  is  covered  with  the  dead. 

The  next  day  every  warrior  returns  with  a  scalp,  the 
trophy  of  his  valor,  and  the  youth,  to  whose  wisdom  in 
council  they  owe  the  victory,  assembles  all  the  people  and 
announces  that  his  mission  is  fulfilled.  He  is  about  to 
leave  the  earth.  He  has  repeated  to  them  his  father's 
instructions.  They  have  learned  all  the  arts  of  war,  and 
know  how  to  take  the  scalps  of  their  enemies.  He  has 
taught  them  the  song  and  the  dance,  and  bids  them  forget 
not  to  die  like  warriors,  in  battle  or  at  the  stake. 

The  next  day  they  seek  him  and  he  is  dead. 

Now  these  nations  have  learned  war,  and  the  war-path 
becomes  a  beaten  trail,  so  constantly  do  they  go  to  and 
fro  to  take  the  scalps  of  their  enemies.  So  they  make  a 
trench,  and  by  a  law  which  all  agree  to  obey,  pursuit  shall 
not  be  carried  across  this  boundary.  The  warrior  might 
come  into  the  enemy's  country,  but  when  he  was  driven 
back,  after  he  had  crossed  the  line,  he  should  be  safe. 
There  they  often  stood  in  great  numbers,  within  sight  of 
each  Obher,  but  neither  footsteps  nor  arrows  must  go  over 
the  ticnch. 


MYTHOLOGICAL    LEGENDS. 


131 


imong  the 
d  them  to 
away  from 

icings,  an 
leed  it  not, 
td  another, 
s  heard  to 
ery  bow  is 
I  the  swift 
ttle  ensues, 
re  pursued, 
itors.     The 

I  scalp,  the 
wisdom  in 
people  and 
s  about  to 
his  father's 
)f  war,  and 
He  has 
them  forget 
ke. 
d. 

he  war-path 
y  go  to  and 
hey  make  a 
)ursuit  shall 
irrior  might 
was  driven 
lid  be  safe, 
lin  sight  of 
lust  go  over 


On  one  occasion,  when  they  were  pursuing  the  enemy, 
a  man  ran  swiftly  up  into  a  tree  to  escape,  and  when  they 
looked,  behold,  he  was  changed  into  a  bear !  His  clan 
was  ever  after  called  the  Bear  Clan.  On  another  occa- 
sion, a  man  who  was  fleeing  descended  into  a  deep  ravine,  and 
looking  fur  him  as  he  ascended  the  opposite  side,  10,116 
was  a  wolf !  thus  obtaining  for  his  clan  the  title  of  Wolf 
Clan.  After  long  years  of  enmity  and  a  thousand  battles, 
it  was  discovered  that  these  clans  which  had  been  so  long 
at  war  were  one  nation.  They  then  buried  the  tomahawk 
and  smoked  the  pipe  of  peace. 

MYTHOLOGICAL    LEGENDS. 

He-no  was  the  Jupiter  of  the  Iroquois,  and  Ga-oh  re- 
minds us  of  ^olus.  Those  who  are  familiar  with  these 
mythological  personages  of  the  Indian  creation,  make  use 
of  them  as  the  classical  student  does  of  the  gods  of  the 
ancients.  When  there  is  a  furious  storm  they  say.  He-no 
is  in  a  rage.  When  a  violent  tempest  shakes  the  earth, 
they  say,  Ga-oh  is  in  a  frenzy.  But  among  a  great  pro- 
portion of  the  reading  community,  these  allusions  would 
have  no  meaning.  A  thorough  knowledge  of  Indian  his- 
tory, language  and  legends,  would  add  a  great  store  of 
pleasing  images  to  the  collections  of  the  poet  and  novelist, 
that  would  be  thoroughly  American,  and  add  new  interest 
to  American  literature. 

THE  LEGEND  OF  HE-NO,  THE  THUNDERER. 

A  young  maiden  residing  at  Ga-u-gwa,  a  village  above 
Niagara  Falls,  at  the  mouth  of  Cayuga  creek,  had  been 
contracted  in  marriage  to  an  old  man  of  ugly  manners  and 
disagreeable  person.  As  the  marriage  was  h^ful  to  her, 
and  by  the  customs  of  the  nations  there  was  no  escape, 


132 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


m 


Km  ■■' 


Bhe  resolved  upon  self  destruction.  Launching  a  bark 
canoe  upon  the  Niagara,  she  directed  it  towards  the  cur- 
rent, and  was  soon  swept  over  the  frightful  precipice  amid 
the  foaming  waters.  He-no  the  Thunderer  had  his  home 
behind  the  sheet,  and  seeing  her  descend,  he  caught  her  in 
a  blanket  and  carried  her  behind  the  fall.  One  of  the 
servants  of  He-no  being  attracted  by  her  beauty  desired 
to  marry  her,  to  which  she  had  no  objection,  and  by  the 
voice  of  the  Thunderer  they  were  united. 

For  many  years  before  this  the  people  of  Ga-u-gwa 
had  been  visited  by  an  annual  pestilence,  which  destroyed 
great  numbers  and  for  which  they  could  assign  no  cause. 
At  the  end  of  a  year  He-no  revealed  to  the  maiden  the 
cause,  and  sent  her  back  to  tell  the  people  the  remedy. 
He  said  a  monstrous  serpent  dwelt  under  the  village,  who 
depended  upon  the  bodies  of  the  dead  for  sustenance,  and 
in  order  to  obtain  his  annual  supply  he  went  forth  once  a 
year  and  poisoned  the  river  Niagara,  and  Cayuga  creek, 
so  that  all  who  drank  of  them  perished. 

The  people  were  directed  to  move  to  Buffalo  creek, 
and  the  young  wife  was  charged  to  bring  up  the  son  of 
which  she  would  soon  become  the  mother,  in  retirement, 
and  not  mingle  in  the  strifes  of  war.  With  those  injunc- 
tions she  departed  on  her  mission. 

When  the  great  serpent  again  poisoned  the  waters  the 
earth  brought  him  no  food,  and  putting  forth  his  head  to 
discover  the  cause,  he  saw  the  village  deserted.  He  im- 
mediately scented  the  trail  by  which  the  people  had  de- 
parted, and  followed  them  to  their  new  home.  But  whilst 
passing  through  a  narrow  channel.  He-no  discharged  upon 
him  a  mighty  thunderbolt  which  inflicted  a  mortal  wound. 
The  Senecas  still  point  to  a  place  in  the  creek  where  the 
banks  were^helved  out  in  a  semi-circular  form,  which  was 
done  by  the  serpent  when  he  turned  to  escape. 


S( 


MYTHOLOGICAL    LEGENDS. 


Ib3 


^  a  bark 
the  cur- 
pice  amid 
his  home 
ght  her  in 
ne  of  the 
;y  desired 
id  by  the 

Ga-u-gwa 
destroyed 
no  cause, 
aiden  the 
e  remedy, 
llage,  who 
aance,  and 
rth  once  a 
uga  creek, 

Falo  creek, 
lie  son  of 
etirement, 
)se  injunc- 

waters  the 
is  head  to 
He  im- 
le  had  de- 
But  whilst 
irged  upon 
■tal  wound, 
where  the 
which  was 


His  body  floated  down  the  stream  and  lodged  upon  th'j 
verge  of  the  Cataract,  stretching  nearly  across  the  river. 
The  raging  waters  thus  dammed  up  broke  through  the 
rocks  behind,  and  thus  the  whole  verge  of  the  Fall,  upon 
which  the  body  rested,  was  precipitated  with  it  into  the 
abyss  beneath.  In  this  manner,  says  the  legend,  was 
formed  the  Horse  Shoe  Fall. 

Before  this  event  there  was  a  passage  behind  the 
sheet,  from  one  shore  to  the  other.  This  was  not  only 
broken  up,  but  the  home  of  He-no  destroyed,  so  that  he 
removed  his  habitation  to  the  far  West. 

The  child  of  the  maiden  grew  up  to  boyhood,  and  was 
found  to  possess  the  power  of  darting  lightning  at  his 
will.  On  a  certain  occasion  having  been  rudely  assailed 
by  a  playmate,  he  was  transfixed  with  a  thuLderbolt. 
He-no  immediately  translated  him  to  the  clouds  and  made 
him  assistant  Thunderer ! 

GA-OH. 

Ga-oh  was  the  Spirit  of  the  winds,  and  is  represented 
in  the  form  of  a  man,  with  a  face  furrowed  by  age,  sitting 
in  solitary  confinement,  with  a  tangle  of  discordant  winds 
ever  around  him ;  when  he  is  restless,  the  rushing  noise  of 
the  mighty  wind  is  heard,  in  the  forest  and  upon  the  sea. 
On  his  motions  depend  the  rolling  of  the  billows,  and  the 
fury  of  the  tempest.  He  puts  the  whirlwind  in  motion, 
and  bids  it  again  be  still.  When  he  is  perfectly  quiet 
there  is  silen^a  over  all  the  earth,  and  a  gentle  motion 
moves  the  soft  fanning  breeze.  But  Ga-oh  is  subject  to  the 
Great  Spirit,  and  ever  mindful  of  his  will. 

THE  SEVEN  STARS. 

Seven  little  boys  asked  their  mothers  to  permit  them 


ff 


n  > 


m 


!.■: 


k'l' 


I '  >■.■ 


134 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


to  make  a  feast ;  but  they  were  denied.  Still  intent  upon 
their  purpose,  they  went  alone  and  procured  a  little  white 
dog  to  sacrifice,  and  while  dancing  around  the  fire,  they 
were  suddenly  carried  away  through  the  air  by  some  in- 
visible spirit.  Their  mothers  gazed  after  them  with  in- 
consolable anguish,  till  they  saw  them  take  their  place  in 
the  sky  among  the  starry  hosts,  where  they  are  dancing 
still  as  the  seven  stars  of  the  Pleiades. 

The  ancient  mythology  relates  that  these  stars  are  the 
children  of  Atlas  and  Pleione,  who  were  thus  changed  and 
f)ermitted  to  shine  for  ever,  because  of  their  amiable  vir- 
tues and  mutual  a£fection. 

THE  THREE  SISTERS. 

Of  all  the  spiritual  creations  of  the  Indian,  there  is 
none  more  beautiful  than  the  one  concerning  the  guard- 
ians which  they  imagine  to  preside  over  their  favorite 
vegetables,  corn,  beans,  and  squashes  Each  of  these  has 
a  spirit,  but  a  separate  name  is  not  given  to  each  spirit. 
They  have  the  forms  of  beautiful  females,  and  are  repre- 
sented as  loving  one  another  as  sisters,  and  dwelling  to- 
gether in  perfect  unity  and  happiness.  The  vines  of  these 
vegetables  grow  in  the  same  soil,  and  often  from  the  same 
hill,  and  cling  lovingly  around  ecch  other,  and  thus  are 
true  representatives  of  those  who  watch  over  them.  The 
maidens  are  ever  young,  and  are  clothed  with  the  leaves 
of  the  plants  among  which  they  dwell.  She  who  is  the 
guardian  spirit  of  corn,  has  for  her  drapery  th?  long 
tapering  leaves  of  the  maize,  ornamented  with  its  silken 
tassels,  which  also  are  bound  in  wreaths  about  her  brow. 
She  whose  office  it  is  to  guard  the  bean,  has  her  garments 
also  of  its  leaves  woven  together  by  the  delicate  tendrils, 
with  a  crown  of  the  velvet  pods  upon  her  head,  inter- 
spersed with  the  blossom  which  precedes  the  fruit,     ^he 


THE   SPIRIT   OP    CORN. 


135 


itent  upon 
ttle  white 
fire,  they 
y  some  in- 
1  with  in- 
p  place  in 
re  dancing 

ars  are  the 
langed  and 
miable  vir- 


,n,  there  is 
the  guard- 
ir  favorite 
these  has 
sach  spirit, 
are  repre- 
welling  to- 
tes of  these 
n  the  same 
thus  are 
hem.     The 
the  leaves 
who  is  the 
th'^  long 
its  silken 
her  brow, 
garments 
te  tendrils, 
lead,  inter- 
ruit.     ^he 


spirit  of  squashes  is  also  clothed  with  the  productions  of 
the  vine  under  her  special  care,  and  all  the  summer  they 
flit  about  among  the  plants,  and  are  called,  De-o-ha-ho, 
Our  Life,  or  Our  Supporters. 

Corn,  the  Indians  say,  was  once  of  easy  culture,  and 
yielded  far  more  abundantly  than  now,  the  grain  being 
very  rich  with  oil.  But  the  Evil  Spirit  being  envious  of 
this  great  gift  of  Ha-wen-ne-yu  to  man,  went  forth  into 
the  fields  and  spread  over  it  a  universal  blight.  Since 
then  it  has  been  more  diflScult  to  '"iltivate,  and  is  without 
its  original  richness. 

When  the  rustling  wind  waves  the  corn  leaves,  pro- 
ducing a  mournful  sound,  the  pious  Indian  fancies  he 
hears  the  spirit  of  corn,  in  her  compassion  for  the  red 
man,  still  bemoaning  with  unavailing  regrets  her  blighted 
fruitfulness. 

I  have  here  given  but  a  few  of  the  innumerable 
legends  which  are  to  be  found  among  the  Iroquois, 
hoping  at  some  future  day  to  devote  a  volume  entirely  to 
this  subject.  It  may  not  be  so  interesting,  or  so  valuable 
a  contribution  to  literature  as  "  Keightley's  Fairy  My- 
thology," and  it  may  be  many  years  before  such  a  work 
will  be  truly  appreciated,  even  by  the  antiquarian  and  the 
scholar ;  but  it  may  yet  prove  a  mite  in  the  vast  treasure 
house  of  traditional  lore,  and  will  some  day  be  considered 
not  entirely  unworthy  a  place  beside  the  fairy  castles  of 
Merrie  England,  Scotia's  sylvan  temples,  and  the  grottos 
of  Italian  nymphs. 


I'( 


CHAPTER  VII. 


A  captive's  life  among  INDIANS,  ILLUSTRATED  BY  THE  LlJ-E 


OF   "the     WHITE    WOMAN. 


u 


•.»■'■ 


To  be  taken  captive  by  the  Indiaas,  was  among  the  early 
colonists  considered  the  most  terrible  of  all  calamities ; 
and  it  wp.s  indeed  a  fearful  thing  to  become  the  victim  of 
their  revenge.  But  those  who  were  enduring  the  actual 
sufferings  of  captives,  or  suffering  still  more  from  terror  of 
uncertain  evils,  thought  little  of  the  provocation  given  by 
our  own  people.  The  innciont  often  suffered  for  the  guilty, 
and  however  persevering  ♦  ■  "^orts  of  the  government  to 
be  just,  in  its  infancy,  ir.  ^  'lid  unknown  country,  it  was 
impossible  to  control  unprincipled  marauders.  Some  atro- 
cious act  was  first  committed  by  white  men,  which  drove 
the  Indian  to  retaliation,  and  thinking  pale  faces  were  all 
alike,  he  did  not  wait  till  the  real  offender  fell  into  his 
hands. 

When  the  white  men  first  came,  the  Indians  looked  upon 
them  as  superior  beings.  They  were  ready  to  worship 
Columbus  and  his  little  party,  and  all  along  on  the  coast, 
until  their  simple  trust  was  outraged  beyond  endurance  they 
welcomed  the  strangers — gave  them  food  when  they  were 
hungry,  and  sheltered  them  when  they  were  cold.  It  was 
not  till  their  encroachments  became  alarming,  that  the  In- 
dian asserted  his  rights,  and  if  fn  all  oases  he  had  been  as 
justly  and  kindly  dealt  with  as  by  the  Quakers  of  Ponn* 
sylvania,  there  would  not  have  been  so  dark  a  record  of  sin 


■'  f\ 


TREATMENT   OF    PRISONERS. 


137 


THE  LIVE 


the  early 
alamities ; 
victim  of 
the  actual 
a  terror  of 
a  given  by 
the  guilty, 
rnment  to 
try,  it  was 
Some  atro- 
lich  drove 
3  were  all 
1  into  his 

loked  upon 
io  worship 

the  coast, 
irance  they 

they  were 
i.  It  was 
hat  the  In- 
ad  been  as 
i  of  Penn- 
oord  of  sin 


and  wrong,  and  torture.  If  none  but  men  of  principle 
had  made  treaties  with  them,  and  all  whose  duty  it  was  to 
observe  them,  had  kept  their  faith,  revenge  would  not 
have  come  out  so  prominently  in  Indian  character. 

But  it  was  net  in  obedience  to  national  policy  that 
those  who  were  taken  in  battle  were  put  to  the  torture, 
and  burned  and  flayed.  The  Six  Nations  had  never  found 
it  necessary  to  build  prisons  and  dig  dungeons  for  their 
own  people.  If  a  man  committed  murder,  they  sometimes 
decided  that  he  should  dAe,  and  sometimes  bade  him  flee 
far  away  where  none  wlio  knew  him  could  ever  look  upon 
his  face.  But  crimes  were  so  rare  that  they  had  no  crim- 
inal code,  and  when  they  overcame  their  enemies,  they 
either  adopted  them  and  treated  them  as  friends,  or  put 
them  immediately  to  death. 

White  people  have  sometimes  put  Indians  to  death 
and  oftencr  put  them  in  dungeons  to  waste  and  starve,  but 
it  was  no  part  of  their  practice  to  adopt  them  and  call 
them  brethren !  Had  they  sometimes  done  this,  or  sent 
them  freely  back  to  their  friends  unharmed,  they  might 
have  conciliated  where  they  only  made  more  desperate. 

When  families  were  bereaved,  they  sought  to  be  re- 
venged on  those  who  had  bereaved  them ;  and  when  war- 
riors returned  from  battle,  the  prisoners  were  given  up  to 
the  friends  who  were  afflicted.  With  them  alone  it  re 
mained  to  decide  the  fate  of  those  who  fell  into  their 
hands.  If  they  chose,  they  adopted  them  in  place  of  the 
husbands  and  brothers  who  were  slain ;  and  if  they  so 
decided,  they  were  put  to  death,  and  in  any  way  they 
decreed. 

If  the  manner  in  which  their  friends  had  been  killed 
was  aggravating  and  greatly  enraged  them,  they  were  very 
likely  to  decide  upon  torture,  and  inflicted  it  in  a  manner  to 
produce  the  greatest  suffering.     But  even  in  such  cases 


138 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


|i  ' 


I* 


1 ' '^ 

5^;/       \  '. 

i 

they  sometimes  showed  great  magnanimity,  and  '*  retnTned 
good  for  evil." 

Children  were  very  often  adopted,  and  by  a  solemn  cere- 
mony received  into  a  particular  tribe,  and  evermore  treated 
as  one  of  their  own  people.  We  have  been  in  the  habit 
of  listening  tc  heart-rending  stories  of  cruelties  to  captives, 
but  captives  who  were  adopted  were  never  cruelly  treated. 
Those  who  were  immediately  put  to  death  experienced 
great  suffering  for  a  few  hours,  and  those  who  were  pre- 
served were  subject  to  hardships  which  seemed  to  them 
unspeakable,  but  they  were  such  as  are  necessarily  inci- 
dent to  Indian  life.  They  had  no  written  chronicles  to 
tell  to  all  future  generations  the  wrongs  and  tortures  to 
which  they  were  subjected,  but  one  who  sits  with  them  by 
their  firesides,  may  have  his  blood  frozen  s.  ith  horror  at 
recitals  of  civilized  barbarity. 

And  there  is  one  species  of  wrong,  of  which  no  captive 
woman  of  any  nation  had  to  complain  when  she  was 
thrown  upon  the  tender  mercies  of  Indian  warriors.  Not 
among  all  the  dark  and  terrible  records  which  their  ene- 
mies have  delighted  to  emblazon,  is  there  a  single  instance 
of  the  outrage  of  that  delicacy  which  a  pure-minded 
woman  cherishes  at  the  expense  of  life,  and  sacrifices  not 
to  any  species  of  mere  animal  suffering.  Of  what  other 
nation  can  it  be  written,  that  their  soldiers  were  not  more 
terrible  at  the  firesides  of  their  enemies  than  on  the  battle 
field,  with  all  the  fierce  engines  of  war  at  their  command  1 
To  whatever  motive  it  is  to  be  ascribed,  lot  this  at  least 
stand  out  on  the  pages  of  Indian  history  as  an  ever  endu- 
ring monument  to  their  hond^.  A  little  book,  which  pro- 
fesses to  have  been  written  for  the  sole  purpose  of  record- 
ing and  perpetuating  Indian  atrocities,  and  dwells  upon 
then  with  infinite  delight,  alludes  to  this  redeeming  trait 
in  Indian  oharaoter,  but  attempts  to  ascribe  it  to  the  in- 


RESPECT   TOWARDS    WOMEN. 


139 


"  returned 

lemn  cere- 
»re  treated 
I  the  habit 
;o  captives, 
ly  treated, 
xperienced 
I  were  pre- 
d  to  them 
sarily  inci- 
ronicles  to 
tortures  to 
th  them  by 
h  horror  at 

,  no  captive 
n  she  was 
riors.  Not 
1  their  ene- 
gle  instance 
ure-minded 
icrifices  not 

what  other 
re  not  more 
Q  the  battle 

command  1 
lis  at  least 
\  ever  endu- 
,  which  pro- 
B  of  reoord- 
iwells  upon 
croing  trait 

it  to  the  in- 


fluence of  superstition,  as  if  it  were  necessary  to  find  some 
evil  or  deteriorating  motive  for  every  thing  noble  or  pleas- 
ing in  Indian  character.  I  have  no  doubt  that  it  was 
quite  revolting  to  the  general  sentiment  in  an  Indian  com- 
munity, to  mingle  their  blood  with  that  of  a  nation  whom 
they  looked  up  on  as  a  race  of  evil  spirits  let  loose,  and  I  won- 
der that  they  should  ever  have  received  them,  as  they  often 
did,  into  their  families,  and  to  their  bosom  friendships  and 
confidences.  But  this  hatred  in  other  nations  prompts  to 
the  very  manifestation  of  which  an  Indian  was  never  guilty. 
Their  treatment  of  captives  from  among  Indian  nations 
was  the  same,  and  I  know  not  that  there  has  been  an  j  sat- 
isfactory solution  of  a  characteristic  which  has  been  found 
among  only  one  other  civilized,  Christian  or  barbarous  na- 
tion. A  wanderer  among  the  western  tribes  once  asked 
an  Indian  why  they  thus  honored  their  woTien,  and  he  said, 
"  The  Great  Spirit  taught  them,  and  would  punish  them 
if  they  did  not.'-  Among  the  Germans  there  existed  the 
same  respect  for  woman,  till  they  becatno  civilized.  There 
may  have  been  some  superstitious  fear,  mingled  with  a 
strong  governing  and  controlling  principle,  but  it  is  not  on 
this  account  the  less  marvellous  that  whole  nations,  con- 
sisting of  millions,  should  have  been  so  trained  religiously 
or  domestically,  that  no  degree  of  beauty  or  fascination 
placed  under  their  care,  though  hundreds  of  miles  in  the 
solitudes  of  the  wilderness,  should  have  tempted  them 
from  the  strictest  honor  and  the  most  delicate  kindness. 

Mary  Jewison  was  eighty  years  a  resident  among  the 
Senecas,  and  in  the  earl}  'vt  of  the  time  the  forests  had 
few  clearings,  and  the  comtort^i  and  the  vices  of  white  men 
prevailed  but  little  among  them.  She  was  born  on  the 
ocear,  with  the  billowy  sea  for  her  cradle  and  the  tempest 
for  her  lullaby.  Her  parents  emigrated  from  England  to 
this  oountry  in  1742,  and  settled  in  the  unfortunate  vale 


140 


THE     iROQUOIS. 


I'  ' 
I'   ' 


>i:. 


^i^K'  ■■'■■  i>\ 


t' 


of  Wyoming,  whero  date  her  first  remembrances,  which 
were  of  the  woes  that  fell  upon  her  family — the  wail  of  the 
Borr  vr  stricken  and  the  breaking  of  heart-strings. 

The  last  meal  they  took  together  was  a  breakfast,  after 
which  the  father  and  three  eldest  brothers  went  into  the 
field,  and  Mary,  with  the  other  little  children,  were  play- 
ing not  far  from  the  house.  They  were  suddenly  startled 
by  a  shriek,  and  knew  it  must  be  from  their  mother.  On 
running  in,  they  found  her  in  the  hands  of  two  Indians, 
who  were  holding  her  fast.  A  little  boy  ran  to  call  his 
father,  and  found  him  also  bound  by  another  of  the  party, 
and  his  eldest  brother  lying  dead  upon  the  earth.  The  two 
others  fled  to  Virginia,  where  they  had  an  uncle,  as  Mary 
afterwards  learned,  and  those  who  remained  were  made 
captive  and  harried  into  the  woods. 

All  day  they  were  obliged  to  march  in  single  file  over 
the  rough,  cold  soil,  with  no  time  or  permission  for  con- 
versation, and  the  lash  often  applied  to  quicken  their 
steps.  Night  found  them  in  the  heart  of  the  wilderness^ 
surrounded  by  their  strange  captors,  and  all  the  horrors 
of  Indian  life  or  Indian  death  staring  them  in  the  face. 
They  had  no  hope  of  mercy,  whether  permitted  to  live  or 
condemned  to  die. 

The  mother  thought  they  would  perhaps  spare  the 
children,  but  did  not  on  this  account  take  courage,  for  it 
seemed  to  her  better  that  they  should  die,  than  live  to 
become  the  companions  of  such  a  people,  and  grow  up 
very  probably  to  be  like  them.  Mary  was  the  only  one 
old  enough  to  understand  her  injunctions,  and  to  her  she 
was  allowed  to  speak  before  they  were  separated  for  the 
night,  and,  as  she  feared,  for  ever. 

She  said,  "My  diughter,  you,  I  think,  will  be  per- 
mitted to  live ;  but  they  will  deprive  you  of  your  father 
and  mother,  and  perhaps  of  your  brothers  aud  sisters,  ao 


w: 


m 


STORY   OP    MARY   JEWISON. 


141 


es,  which 
?ail  of  the 
s. 

fast,  after 
t  into  the 
vere  play- 
[y  startled 
ther.     On 

0  Indians, 
,0  call  his 
the  party, 

The  two 
5,  as  Mary 
rere   made 

e  file  over 
)n  for  con- 
cken  their 
wilderness, 
le  horrors 
n  the  face. 

1  to  live  or 


spare 


the 


rage, 


for  it 


lan  live  to 
i  grow  up 
)  only  one 
to  her  she 
ted  for  the 

rill  be  per- 
your  father 
1  sisters,  30 


I 


that  you  will  be  alone.  But  endeavor  in  all  things  to 
please  the  Indians,  and  they  will  be  more  kind  to  you 
Do  not  forget  your  own  language,  and  never  fail  to  repeat 
your  catechism  and  the  Lord's  prayer  every  morning  and 
evening  while  you  live."  This  she  promised  to  do,  and 
having  kissed  her  child,  the  mother  was  removed  from  her 
sight,  and  never  more  saw  one  of  all  the  little  party  who 
were  happy  in  the  little  cottage  together  only  a  few  hours 
before. 

Mary  was  not  permitted  to  ask  concerning  her  friends, 
and  only  knew  their  fate  by  recognizing  their  scalps  as 
they  were  prepared  to  dry.  Her  mother's  she  knew  by 
the  long  sandy  hair,  which  was  neatly  combed  and  braided. 
Her  little  brother  had  soft  flaxen  curls,  which  still  retained 
their  sunny  hue,  and  hung  in  glossy  waves  over  the  edges 
of  the  hoop  on  which  the  skin  was  stretched.  She  could 
not  restrain  the  tears,  but  dared  utter  no  moan  that  she 
had  been  thus  cruelly  severed  from  all  she  loved. 

She  must  at  this  time  have  been  ten  years  of  age  ;  but 
it  was  less  sad  for  her  than  if  she  had  been  older,  for 
now  she  could  easily  assimilate  her  tastes  to  those  of  her 
new  friends,  and  would  naturally  soon  forget  her  home 
and  the  customs  of  her  people. 

She  was  afterwards  told,  when  she  could  understand 
the  Indian  language,  that  they  should  not  have  killed  her 
parents  if  the  captors  had  not  been  pursued,  and  that  a 
little  boy,  who  was  the  son  of  a  neighbor,  and  was  also 
taken,  was  given  to  the  French,  two  of  whom  were  of  the 
party. 

In  the  marches  of  the  Indians  it  was  the  custom  for 
one  to  linger  behind  and  poke  up  the  grass  with  a  stick, 
after  a  party  had  passed  along,  to  conceal  all  traces  of 
their  foot-steps,  do  that  a  pursuit  was  seldom  successful 
In  deviating  from  a  direct  course,  in  order  not  to  get  lost, 


142 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


I'-t 


Ur 


I  I'd'  ■:    '■,<% 


■»'i,. 


they  noticed  the  moss  upon  the  trees,  which  always  grew 
thickest  upon  the  north  side,  as  the  south  side,  being 
most  exposed  to  the  sun,  became  soonest  dry.  They  also 
had  some  knowledge  of  the  stars,  and  knew  from  the 
positions  of  certain  clusters,  that  were  to  be  seen  ?t  cer- 
tain seasons,  which  was  east  and  which  west. 

Mary  was  carried  far  down  the  Ohio,  and  found  her 
captors  to  be  a  party  of  Shawanese,  and  by  them  she  was 
adopted  in  place  of  two  brothers,  who  had  fallen  in  battle, 
and  for  whom  the  lamentations  had  not  yet  died  away. 

The  ceremony  of  adoption  is  very  solemn,  requiring 
the  deliberations  of  a  council  and  the  formal  bestowing 
of  a  name,  as  a  sort  of  baptism,  from  which  time  the 
captive  is  not  allowed  to  speak  any  language  but  the  In- 
dian, and  must  in  all  things  conform  to  Indian  habits  and 
tastes. 

It  is  the  custom  among  them  to  give  children  a  name 
which  corresponds  with  the  sports  and  dependence  of 
childhood,  and  when  they  arrive  at  maturity,  to  change  it 
for  one  that  corresponds  with  the  duties  and  employments 
of  manhood  and  womanhood.  The  first  name  is  given  by 
the  relatives,  and  afterwards  publicly  announced  in  council. 
The  second  is  bestowed  in  the  same  way,  and  by  this  they 
are  ever  afterwards  called,  except  on  becoming  a  Sachem, 
and  sometimes  on  becoming  a  chief  or  warrior,  another  is 
taken,  and  each  denotes  definitely  the  new  position.  Each 
clan,  too,  had  its  peculiar  names,  so  that  when  a  person's 
name  was  mentioned  it  was  immediately  known  to  what 
clan  he  belonged. 

A  curious  feature  in  the  Indian  code  of  etiquette  is, 
that  it  is  exceedingly  impolite  to  ask  a  person  his  name, 
or  to  speak  it  in  his  presence.  In  the  social  circle  and  all 
private  conversation,  the  person  spoken  of  is  described,  if 
it  is  necessary  to  allude  to  him,  as  the  person  who  sits 


STORY   OP   MARY    JEWISON. 


143 


ways  grew 

iide,  being 

They  also 

from  the 

een  ?t  cer- 

found  her 
jm  she  was 
Q  in  battle, 
id  away. 
1,  requiring 
[  bestowing 
h  time  the 
but  the  In- 
1  habits  and 

Iren  a  name 
Bndence  of 
to  change  it 
oiployments 

is  given  by 
d  in  council. 
)y  this  they 

a  Sachem, 
',  another  is 
Ltion.  Each 
n  a  person's 
iwn  to  what 

etiquette  is, 
n  his  name, 
irole  and  all 
[escribed,  if 
on  who  sits 


there,  or  who  lives  in  that  house,  or  wears  such  a  dress. 
If  I  ask  a  woman,  whose  husband  is  present,  if  that  is 

Mr.  P ,  she  blushes,  and  stammers,  and  replies,  "  It 

is  my  child's  father,"  in  order  to  avoid  speaking  his  name 
in  his  presence,  which  would  offend  him.  On  asking  a 
man  his  name  he  remained  silent ;  not  understanding  the 
reason,  the  question  was  repeated,  when  he  indignantly 
replied,  "  Do  you  think  that  I  am  an  owl,  to  go  about 
hooting  my  name  every  where  ? "  the  name  of  the  owl 
in  Seneca,  corresponding  exactly  to  the  note  he  continu- 
ally utters. 

When  Mary  Jewison  had  been  formally  named  De-he- 
wa-mis,  they  called  her  daughter  and  sister,  and  treated 
her  in  all  respects  as  if  she  had  been  born  among  them 
and  the  same  blood  flowed  in  her  veins ;  or  rather  they 
were  accustomed  to  be  more  kind  to  captives  than  to  their 
own  children,  because  they  had  not  been  inured  to  the 
same  hardships.  There  was  no  difference  in  the  caresses 
uestowed,  no  allusion  was  made  to  the  child  as  if  it  be- 
longed to  a  hated  race,  and  it  never  felt  the  want  of 
affection. 

Mary  said  her  tasks  were  always  light,  and  every 
thing  was  done  to  win  her  love  and  make  her  happy.  She 
now  and  then  longed  for  the  comforts  of  her  cottage  home, 
and  wept  at  the  thought  of  her  mother's  cruel  death,  but 
gradually  learned  to  love  the  freedom  of  the  forest,  and 
to  gambol  freely  and  gayly  with  her  Indian  playmates. 
When  she  was  named  they  threw  her  dress  away,  and 
clothed  her  in  deer-skins  and  moccasins,  and  painted  her 
face  in  true  Indian  style.  She  never  spoke  English  in 
their  presence,  as  they  did  not  allow  it;  but,  when  alone, 
did  not  forget  her  mother's  injunction,  and  repeated  her 
prayer  and  all  the  words  she  could  remember,  thus  re- 
taining enough  of  the  language  to  enable  her  easily  to 


144 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


¥ 


6 1 


Pi 
4 


il; 


I 


recall  it  when  she  should  again  return  to  civilized  society, 
Its  she  constantly  indulged  the  hope  of  doing  by  an  ex- 
change of  captives. 

But  when  she  was  fourteen  years  of  age  her  mother 
selected  for  her  a  husband,  to  whom  she  was  married 
according  to  Indian  custom.  His  name  was  She-ninjee, 
and  though  she  was  not  acquainted  with  him  previously, 
and  of  course  had  no  aflfection  for  him,  he  proved  not  only 
an  amiable  .and  excellent  man,  but  a  congenial  companion, 
whom  she  loved  devotedly.  He  had  all  the  noble  qualities 
of  the  Indian,  being  handsome,  and  brave,  and  generous, 
and  kind,  and  to  her  ever  gentle  and  affectionate. 

Now  she  became  thoroughly  reconciled  to  Indian  life, 
her  greatest  sorrow  being  the  necessary  absences  of  her 
husband  on  the  war-path  and  hunting  excursions.  She 
followed  the  occupations  of  the  women,  and  tilled  the 
fields,  dressed  the  skins,  and  gathered  the  fuel  for  the 
winter  fires ;  and  though  this  seems  to  us  unfeminine  labor, 
it  was  performed  at  their  leisure,  and  occupied  very  little 
of  their  time. 

When  the  hunters  returned  they  were  weary  and  pas- 
sive, and  seldom  were  guilty  of  fault-finding,  and  so  well 
did  an  Indian  woman  know  her  duty,  that  her  husband 
was  not  obliged  to  make  known  his  wants.  Obedience 
was  required  in  all  respects,  and  where  there  was  harmony 
and  affection,  cheerfully  yielded ;  and  knowing  as  they  did 
that  separation  would  be  the  consequence  of  neglect  of 
duty,  and  unkindness,  there  was  really  more  self-control, 
and  care  about  little  things,  than  among  those  who  are 
bound  for  life,  weal  and  woe,  love  and  hatred,  kindness  and 
cruelty.  They  did  not  agree  to  live  together  through 
good  and  through  evj  /eport,  but  only  while  they  loved 
and  confided  in  one  another ;  and  they  were  therefore 


STORY    OF    MARY    JEWISON. 


145 


1  society, 
y  an  ex- 

sr  mother 
J  married 
be-ninjee, 
reviously, 
d  not  only 
ompanion, 
e  qualities 
generous, 

te. 

[ndian  life, 
ices  of  her 
lions.  She 
tilled  the 
uel  for  the 
linine  labor, 
i  very  little 

ry  and  pas- 
iind  so  well 
er  husband 
Obedience 
ras  harmony 
as  they  did 
neglect  of 
selfcontrol, 
ose  who  are 
dndness  and 
ler  through 
J  they  loved 
re  therefore 


careful  not  to  throw  lightly  away  this  confidence  and 
affection. 

The  labor  of  the  field  was  performed  in  so  systematic 
a  manner,  and  by  so  thorough  and  wise  a  division  of  labor, 
that  there  were  none  of  the  jealousies  and  envyings  which 
exist  among  those  who  wish  to  hoard,  and  are  ambitious 
to  excel  in  style  and  equipage ;  and  before  the  fire  water 
came  among  them  dissensions  of  any  kind  were  almost  un- 
known. This  has  been  the  fruitful  source, of  all  their 
woes. 

It  was  not  till  Mary  became  a  mother  that  she  gave 
up  all  longing  for  civilized  society,  and  relinquished  all 
hope  of  again  returning  to  the  abodes  of  white  men. 
Now  she  had  a  tie  to  bind  her  which  could  not  be  broken. 
If  she  should  find  her  friends  they  would  not  recognize 
her  Indian  husband,  or  consider  her  lawfully  married ; 
they  would  not  care  to  be  connected  by  ties  of  blood  to  a 
people  whom  they  despised.  Her  child  would  not  be 
happy  among  those  who  looked  upon  her  as  inferior,  and 
she  herself  had  no  education  to  fit  her  for  the  companion- 
ship of  white  people.  She  looked  upon  her  little 
daughter  and  said, "  It  is  Sheninjee's,  it  is  dearer  to  me 
then  all  things  else.  I  could  not  endure  to  see  her 
treated  with  aversion  or  neglect." 

But  only  a  little  while  was  she  permitted  this  happi- 
ness— her  daughter  died,  while  yet  an  infant,  and  when 
Sheninjee  was  away.  Again  tho  feeling  of  desolation 
came  over  her  young  spirit,  but  all  around  her  ministered 
in  every  way  to  her  comfort,  and  became  more  than  ever 
endeared  to  her  heart.  After  a  long  absence  Sheninjee 
returned,  and  she  was  again  happy  for  many  months. 
She  had  a  son  and  named  him  from  her  father,  to  which  no 
objection  was  made  by  her  Indian  friends,  and  her  love 
for  her  husband  became  idolatry.  In  her  eyes  he  seemed 
7 


146 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


I-  ' 


ml : 

hi 


1  : 


,;V^- ■^^'i5:|.: 


If 

•Hi' 
if 


iff 

I 


m 


every  thing  noble  and  good, — she  mourned  his  departure 
and  longed  for  his  return,  for  his  aflfection  prompted  him 
to  treat  her  with  the  gentle  and  winning  kindness  which 
is  the  spirit  of  true  love  alone. 

But  again  came  the  separation,  and  she  must  pasi< 
another  long  winter  alone.  Hunting  was  the  Indian's  toil, 
and  though  they  delighted  in  it,  the  pang  of  parting  from 
his  wife  and  little  ones,  made  it  a  sacrifice,  and  spread  a 
dark  cloud  over  a  long  period  of  his  life.  And  now  it  be- 
came dark  indeed  to  Mary,  for  she  waited  long  and  She- 
ninjee  came  not.  She  put  every  thing  in  order  in  his 
little  dwelling — she  dressed  new  skins  for  his  couch,  and 
smoked  venison  to  please  his  taste ;  she  made  the  fire 
bright  to  welcome  him,  hoping  every  evening  when  she 
lay  down  with  her  baby  upon  her  bosom,  that  ere  the 
morning  sun  the  husband  and  father  would  gladden  them 
by  his  smile,  but  in  vain ;  winter  {passed  away,  and  the 
spring,  and  then  came  the  sad  tidings  that  he  was  dead. 
She  was  a  widow  and  her  child  was  fatherless.  Very  long 
and  deeply  did  she  mourn  Sheninjee,  for  it  seemed  to  her 
there  was  none  like  him ;  but  again  the  sympathies  of  his 
people  created  new  links  to  bind  her  to  them,  and  she 
said  she  could  not  have  loved  a  mother  or  sister  more 
dearly  then  she  did  those  sho  stood  in  this  relationship 
to  her,  and  soothed  her  by  their  loving  words. 

Not  for  four  years  was  she  again  urged  to  marry,  and 
during  this  time  there  was  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  and 
she  had  an  opportunity  to  return  to  her  kindred.  She 
was  left  to  do  as  she  pleased.  They  told  her  she  might 
go;  but  if  she  preferred  to  remain,  she  should  still  be 
their  daughter  and  sister,  and  they  would  give  her  lanvl 
for  her  own,  where  she  might  always  dwell.  Again  she 
thought  of  the  prejudice  she  should  every  where  meet,  and 
that  she  could  never  patiently  listen  to  reproaches  con- 


mon. 


I M 


L'';',lJ 


STORY    OF   MARY    JEWISON. 


147 


departure 
ttpted  him 
ness  which 

must  pasit 
dian's  toil, 
irting  from 
i  spread  a 
I  now  it  be- 
r  and  She- 
rder  in  his 
couch,  and 
de  the  fire 
;  when  she 
lat  ere  the 
adden  them 
ay,  and  the 
te  was  dead. 
Very  long 
emed  to  her 
tthies  of  his 
m,  and  she 
sister  more 
relationship 

marry,  and 
Lsoners,  and 
ttdred.  She 
she  might 
luld  still  be 
ve  her  land 
Again  she 
re  meet,  and 
roaches  con- 


cerning her  husband's  people.  It  ^.'ould  not  be  believed 
that  he  was  noble,  because  he  was  an  Indian, — she  should 
have  no  near  relatives,  and  those  she  had  might  reject  her 
if  she  should  seek  them.  So  she  came  to  the  final  con- 
clusion, and  never  more  sighed  for  the  advantages  or 
pleasures  of  civilized  life.  She  came  with  the  brothers  of 
Sheninjee  to  the  banks  of  the  Genesee,  where  she  resided 
the  remaining  seventy-two  years  of  her  life. 

Her  second  husband,  Hiokatoo,  she  never  learned  to 
love.  He  was  a  chief  and  a  warrior,  brave  and  fearless, 
but  though  he  was  always  kind  to  her,  he  was  a  man  of 
blood.  He  delighted  in  deeds  of  cruelty  and  delighted 
to  relate  them,  and  now  the  fire-water  had  become  com- 
mon, au'l  the  good  were  made  bad  and  the  bad  worse,  so 
that  d'  :3ensior::  aroso  in  families  and  in  neighborhoods, 
and  the  happi 'v  58  which  had  been  almost  without  alloy, 
was  no  longer  known  among  these  simple  people. 

Sit  idds  her  tetiiimony  to  that  of  all  travellers  and 
historians  concerning  the  purity  of  their  lives,  having 
never  herself  received  the  slightest  insult  from  an  Indian, 
and  scarcely  knowing  an  instance  of  infidelity  or  im- 
morality. But  when  they  had  once  tasted  of  the  mad- 
dening draught,  the  thirst  was  insatiable,  and  all  they  had 
would  be  given  for  a  glass  of  something  to  destroy  their 
reason.  Now  they  were  indeed  converted  into  fiends  and 
furies,  and  sold  themselves  to  swift  destruction.  Hioka- 
too hesitated  at  no  crime,  and  took  pleasure  in  every 
thing  that  was  dark  and  terrible,  but  this  was  a  small 
trial  compared  to  those  which  Mrs.  Jewison  was  called 
upon  to  endure  from  the  intoxication  and  recklessness  of 
her  sons. 

Her  oldest,  the  son  of  Sheninjee,  was  murdered  by 
John,  the  son  of  Hiokatoo,  who  afterwards  murdered  his 
own  brother  Jessee,  and  came  to  the  same  violenu  death 


m 


SK 


148 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


-.1 


'M 


h 


;i 


^i; 


himself  by  the  hands  of  others.  When  they  came  (o  be  in 
the  midst  of  temptation  there  was  no  restraining  principle, 
and  even  after  they  grew  up,  her  house  was  the  scene  of 
quarrels  and  confusion  in  consequence  of  their  intemper- 
ance, and  she  knew  no  rest,  from  fear  of  some  calamity 
from  the  indulgence  of  their  unbridled  passions. 

The  chiefs  of  the  Seneca  nation,  to  which  her  second 
husband  belonged,  gave  her  a  large  tract  of  land,  and 
when  it  became  necessary  that  it  should  be  secured  to  her 
by  treaty,  she  attended  the  council  and  plead  her  own 
case.  The  commissioners,  without  inquiring  particularly 
concerning  the  dimensions  of  her  lots,  allowed  her  to  make 
the  boundaries,  and  when  the  document  was  signed,  and 
she  was  in  firm  possession,  it  was  found  that  she  was  the 
owner  of  nearly  four  thousand  acres,  of  which  only  a  deed 
in  her  own  handwriting  could  deprive  her.  But  though 
she  was  rich,  she  toiled  not  the  less  diligently,  and  forsook 
not  the  sphere  of  woman  in  attending  to  the  ways  of  her 
household  ;  and  also  true  to  her  Indian  education,  she 
planted,  and  hoed,  and  harvested,  retaining  her  Indian 
dress  and  habits,  till  the  day  of  her  death. 

During  the  revolutionary  war,  her  house  was  made  the 
rendezvous  and  head-quarters  of  British  officers  and  In- 
dian chiefs,  as  her  sympathies  were  entirely  with  her  red 
brethren,  and  the  cause  they  espoused  was  the  one  she  pre- 
ferred to  aid.  It  was  in  her  power  to  sympathize  with 
many  a  lone  captive ;  she  always  remembered  her  own  an- 
guish at  the  prospect  of  spending  her  life  in  the  wilderness 
the  companion  of  Indians,  and  though  she  had  learned  to 
love  instead  of  fearing  them,  and  knew  they  were,  as  a 
people,  deserving  of  respect  and  the  highest  honor,  she  un- 
dsrstood  the  feelings  of  those  who  knew  them  .aot. 

Her  supplications  procured  the  release  of  many  from 


STORY   OF    MARY   JEWISON. 


149 


ac  to  be  in 
f  principle, 
3  scene  of 
intern  per- 
le  calamity 

• 

her  second 
land,  and 
ared  to  her 
id  hpf  own 
particularly 
icr  to  make 
signed,  and 
she  was  the 
only  a  deed 
But  though 
and  forsook 
ways  of  her 
ucation,  she 
her   Indian 

as  made  the 
sers  and  In- 
ffith  her  red 
one  she  pre- 
pathizo  with 
her  own  an- 
e  wilderness^ 
learned  to 
were,  as  a 
onor,  she  un* 
:iot. 
f  many  from 


torture,  and  her  generous  kindness  clothed  the  naked  and 
fed  the  starving. 

Lot  by  lot,  and  acre  by  acre,  the  Indians  sold  their 
lands,  and  at  length  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Genesee 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  white  man,  except  the  domain 
of  "  The  White  Woman,"  as  she  was  always  called,  which 
could  not  be  given  up  without  her  consent.  She  refused 
at  the  time  of  the  sale  to  part  with  her  portion,  but  after 
the  Indians  removed  to  the  Buffalo  Reservation,  and  she 
was  left  alone,  though  lady  of  the  manor,  and  surrounded 
by  white  people,  she  preferred  to  take  up  her  abode  with 
those  whom  she  now  called  her  people.  Most  emphati- 
cally did  she  adopt  the  language  of  Ruth  in  the  days  of 
old — "  Entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,  or  return  from  fol- 
lowing after  thee,  for  whither  thou  goest  I  will  go,  and 
where  thou  lodgest  I  will  lodge ;  thy  people  shall  be  my 
people,  and  thy  God  my  God.  Where  thou  diest,  I  will 
die,  and  there  will  I  be  buried." 

She  was  as  thoroughly  Pagan  as  the  veriest  Indian  who 
had  never  heard  of  God,  and  exclaimed  with  him,  that 
their  religion  was  good  enough  for  her,  and  she  desired  no 
change. 

She  was  ninety  years  old — eighty  years  she  had  been 
an  exile  from  the  land  of  her  birth — she  had  forgotten  the 
prayers  her  mother  taught  her,  and  knew  nothing  of  the 
worship  of  her  fathers,  when  one  morning  she  sent  a  mes- 
senger to  tell  the  missionaries  she  wished  to  see  them. 
She  had  ever  before  refused  to  listen  to  them  if  they 
came  to  her  dwcMing,  but  they  hastened  to  obey  the  sum- 
mons, glad  to  feel  that  they  should  bo  welcome,  though 
quite  uncertain  concerning  the  nature  of  the  interview  she 
proposed.  She  was  literally  withered  away.  Her  face 
was  scarcely  larger  thati  an  infant's,  and  completely  check- 
ered with  fine  wrinkles  ;  her  tooth  were  entirely  gone,  and 


150 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


;•;>'■ 


U', 


her  mouth  so  sunken  that  her  nose  and  chin  almost  met ; 
her  hair  not  silvery,  but  snowy  white,  except  a  little  lock 
by  each  ear,  which  still  retained  the  sandy  hue  of  child- 
hood ;  her  form,  which  was  always  slight,  was  bent,  and 
her  limbs  could  no  longer  support  her.  She  had  revived 
the  knowledge  of  her  language  since  she  had  dwelt  among 
white  people,  but  "  Oh,"  said  she,  as  the  ladies  entered, 
"  I  have  forgotten  how  to  pray ;  my  mother  taught  me, 
and  told  me  never  to  forget  this,  though  I  remembered 
nothing  else."  And  then  she  exclaimed,  "  Oh  God,  have 
mercy  upon  me  1"  This  expression  she  had  heard  in  her 
old  age,  and  now  uttered  it  in  the  fulness  of  her  heart. 
There  had  come  a  gleam  of  light  through  all  the  dark 
clouds  of  superstition  and  Pagan  blindness,  and  this  spark 
was  kindled  at  the  fireside  of  that  little  cottage  home, 
and  fell  upon  her  heart  from  a  mother's  lips,  and  now  re- 
vived at  the  remembrance  of  a  mother's  love  and  her  dying 
blessing.  It  was  eighty  years  since  she  had  seen  that 
mother's  face,  as  she  breathed  out  her  soul  in  anguish, 
bending  over  her  in  the  silent  depths  of  the  wilderness — 
eighty  years  since  she  listened  to  "  Our  Father  who  art 
in  Heaven,"  from  Christian  lips,  and  now  the  still  small 
voice  which  had  so  long  been  hushed,  spoke  aloud,  and 
startled  her  as  if  an  angel  called.  She  tried  to  stifle  it, 
and  for  many  days  after  it  awoke  in  her  bosom  heeded  it 
not,  but  it  gave  her  no  rest.  No  earthly  voice  had  since  re- 
minded her  that  her  heart  was  sinful,  and  needed  to  bo 
washed  in  order  to  be  clean.  The  seed  which  had  been 
sown  in  it  when  she  was  a  little  child  had  just  sprung  up— 
the  snows  of  eighty  winters  had  not  chilled  it — the  mil- 
dews of  nearly  a  century  had  not  blighted  it,  and  the 
heavy  hand  of  a  hundred  calamities  had  left  it  unharmed. 
She  had  not  been  in  the  midst  of  corruptions,  therefore  it 


STORY   OF   MARY   JEWISON. 


151 


lost  met ; 
little  look 
of  child- 
bent,  and 
d  revived 
elt  among 
I  entered, 
mght  me, 
membered 
Ood,  have 
ard  in  her 
her  heart, 
the  dark 
this  spark 
age  home, 
id  now  re- 
.  her  dying 
seen  that 
n  anguish, 
Iderness — 
jr  who  art 
still  small 
aloud,  and 
)  stifle  it, 
heeded  it 
id  since  re- 
eded to  bo 
had  been 
)rung  up— 
— the  rail- 
t,  and  the 
unharmed, 
herofore  it 


had  not  been  destroyed.     The  little  germ  was  still  alive, 
and  proving  that  it  had  not  been  planted  in  vain. 

The  aged  woman  sat  pillowed  up  in  bed  with  her 
children  and  children's  children  of  three  generations 
around  her,  and  lifting  her  withered  hands  and  sunken 
eyes  to  heaven,  once  more  repeated,  "  Our  Father,  who 
art  in  heaver,"  while  a  new  light,  like  a  halo,  overspread 
her  face,  tears  flowed  in  floods  down  her  cheeks,  and  in 
the  dark  eye  of  every  listener  there  glistened  the  tear  of 
sympathy  in  her  new-found  happiness. 

For  many  years  slie  remembered  her  mother's  injunc- 
tion, and  repeated  the  words  of  the  prayer  and  the  cate- 
chism ;  but  as  she  became  more  thoroughly  familiar  with 
the  language,  and  could  join  in  the  thanksgivings  uf  her 
new  people,  she  ceased  to  care  for  the  faith  of  her  fathers. 
Yet  it  was  the  connecting  link  between  her  and  those  who 
were  called  Christians,  and  the  sole  means  of  enabling 
her  to  revive  and  easily  acquire  the  knowledge  of  her  na- 
tive tongue.  Without  this  the  missionaries  could  not  have 
communicated  with  her,  as  they  had  not  then  learned  the 
Seneca,  and  those  around  her  who  understood  both,  oared 
very  little,  and  knew  scarcely  more  than  she,  of  the  Re- 
deemer of  whom  she  wished  to  hear. 

When  asked  if  she  regretted  that  she  had  not  con- 
sented to  be  exchanged,  and  returned  to  her  mother's 
friends,  she  still  said,  no.  She  loved  the  Indians — she 
loved  them  better  than  white  people.  They  had  been 
kind  to  her,  and  provided  generously  for  her  youth  and 
her  old  ago,  and  her  children  would  inherit  an  abundance 
from  the  avails  of  the  lands  and  herds  and  flocks  which 
were  her  sole  possessions.  Alas  !  she  did  not  know  that 
the  money  she  had  deposited  in  the  hands  of  the  agent  to 
bo  invested  for  the  benefit  of  her  family,  was  wickedly 
squandered  by  him,  so  that  not  a  single  cent  ever  reached 


152 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


their  hands.*  She  was  rich,  but  they  were  miserably 
poor,  and  he  who  thus  defrauded  her  was  of  the  same 
blood,  and  hesitated  not  to  take  advantage  of  her  because 
she  had  grown  up  among  an  unsuspicious  people,  who 
knew  lot  how  to  redress  their  wrongs.  Her  adopted 
brethren  had  honored  her  above  the  women  of  their  own 
nations — she  had  received  good,  and  not  evil,  all  the  days 
of  her  life  ;  she  belonged  to  a  race  they  had  every  reason 
to  hate — a  race  who  had  trampled  them  as  their  legend 
said  the  mammoth  buffaloes  trampled  the  forests  in  their 
march,  and  yet  they  had  respected  her,  and  loved  her, 
and  honored  her.  And  hers  was  not  the  only  instance 
of  such  kindness ;  it  is  not  she  alone  who  bears  testimony 
to  their  virtues,  to  their  magnanimity,  their  truly  Chris- 
tian spirit  of  forgiveness,  their  purity,  their  meekness, 
their  long  suffering,  and  their  brotherly  love,  ere  they 
were  wronged  and  contaminated  by  the  vices  of  their 
enemies. 

A  few  days  after  the  new  light  dawned  upon  her 
spirit,  in  the  year  1833,  Mrs.  Jevison  was  numbered  with 
the  dead.  She  had  embraced  th^  faith  which  makes  no 
difference  between  those  who  come  at  the  first  and  the 
eleventh  hour ;  and  those  who  were  present  at  the  disso- 
lution of  soul  and  body,  doubted  not  Jesus  had  whispered 
to  her  the  same  consolation  that  fell  upon  the  heart  of 
the  thief  upon  the  cross,  "  This  day  shalt  thou  be  with 
me  in  Paradise." 

She  was  buried  in  the  mission  burial-ground,  near 
Buffalo,  where  the  dead  are  a  strange  concourse  ;  for  it 
seems  once  to  have  been  the  site  of  an  ancient  fort,  and 
afterwards  to  have  become  the  repository  of  the  dust  of 


•  This  has  since  been  refunded  by  the  Ooverument. 


THE    DESERTED    BABY. 


153 


aiserably 
the  same 
r  because 
pie,   who 
adopted 
heir  own 
the  days 
ry  reason 
ir  legend 
s  in  their 
3ved  her, 
f  instance 
bestimony 
ily  Chris- 
meekness, 
ere  they 
of  their 

upon  her 
ered  with 
makes  no 
and  the 
he  disso- 
whispered 
heart  of 
bo  with 

md,  near 

3e ;  for  it 

fort,  and 

ic  dust  of 

eat. 


people  of  many  nations,  and  is  to  the  historian,  the  Chris- 
tian, and  the  traveller,  an  interesting  spot. 

Not  many  years  ago,  the  family  of  the  mission  were 
awakened  from  their  midnight  slumbers  by  the  piteous 
cry  of  an  infant.  It  was  November,  and  the  plaintive 
moan  of  the  little  one,  mingled  with  the  wailing  of  the 
night  wind  when  all  else  was  still,  came  with  startling 
sadness  to  their  ears.  At  first,  they  thought  some  lone 
mother,  in  her  desolation,  had  come  to  them  for  relief,  and 
hastened  to  open  the  door  to  the  houseless  wanderer.  But 
when  they  looked  out  into  the  darkness,  they  could  see 
nothing ;  still  the  little  voice  came  up,  though  it  grew 
fainter,  as  if  its  strength  was  failing.  Again  they  searched, 
and  found  upon  the  door-step  a  tiny  band-box,  in  which 
was  snugly  curled  a  baby — a  little  baby !  All  around 
was  dark;  there  was  no  mother,  no  friend;  the  little 
thing  was  there  alone — alone,  unconscious  of  its  loneliness. 

A  little  opening  had  been  made  in  the  top  of  the  box, 
through  which  they  peeped,  and  saw  a  tiny  hand  move, 
and  then  the  blue  eyes  opened  to  the  light ;  but  when 
they  brought  it  to  the  fire  it  was  stupefied  by  the  efiects* 
of  cold  and  some  drug  it  had  taken  to  keep  it  quiet,  and 
scarcely  showed  signs  of  life  for  a  day.  Then  it  awoke, 
and  on  its  face  there  rested  a  smile  that  seemed  a  beam 
from  heaven.  Never  more  was  it  alone.  Hearts  had  be- 
come linked  to  its  little  heart,  and  all  the  household  looked 
upon  it  as  a  treasure  and  not  a  burden.  Its  coarse  blanket 
and  faded  frock,  proved  that  it  had  not  been  cast  out 
from  the  dwellings  of  the  rich,  and  the  few  words  which 
were  written  on  a  torn  and  soiled  bit  of  paper,  in  a  fair 
hand,  proved  that  its  mother  was  not  ignorant,  though 
poverty-stricken. 

"  Farewell  my  little  baby  I  Thy  mother  must  desert 
thee,  but  may  God  take  care  of  thee  and  find  thee  friends ! " 
7* 


I 


154 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


I;  ' 


m- 


.1  >w 


^m 


Then  it  was  blistered  with  tears,  and  placed  among  the 
folds  of  the  blanket. 

"Why  did  the  mother  thus  desert  her  child  ?  Must  its 
innocent  name  be  stained  by  some  dark  sin ;  or  was  it 
•,Tf  etohed  poverty  alone  that  drove  her  to  such  a  sacrifice  ? 
Tiioro  had  evidently  been  sundered  a  heart-string,  and 
the  bosom  i;n  which  it  was  born  to  rest  was  neither  cold 
ncr  bord.      t  ^t  it  was  a  cast-away. 

That  riigiifc  a  wagon  was  seen  slowly  winding  its  way 
toward  the  mission-house,  and  from  a  neighboring  window 
observed  to  stop  in  front  of  the  path  that  led  to  the  door. 
At  the  same  iime  a  child,  evidently  very  young,  was  heard 
distinctly  to  cry  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  ceased,  and 
tht  ,agon  moved  on  toward  the  great  city.  This  is  all 
its  new-found  friends  ever  learned  concerning  it.  But  it 
became  a  very  sunbeam  in  their  dwelling,  and  was  beautiful 
as  a  cherub.  Its  ruby  lips  never  failed  to  curl  witn  that 
same  sunny  smile,  whenever  the  tones  of  a  pleasant  voice 
fell  on  its  ear,  and  its  gleeful  playfulness  awoke  in  every 
heart  an  echo.  But  it  was  one  of  those  bright  leaves 
which  decay  and  dazzle  and  then  depart. 

Those  upon  whose  hands  it  was  thrown,  helpless  and 
dependent,  thought,  how  could  they  keep  and  nourish  it  ? 
They  too,  were  poor,  and  it  would  be  a  burden. 

In  less  than  a  year,  the  bright  flower  faded  and  died. 
Twi'^-'i  around  it  was  every  heart-string,  and  it  had  found 
a  n  -.  tng  place  in  every  bosom,  when  it  grew  cold,  and 
shut  its  eyes  on  them  for  ever.  They  must  wrap  it  in  a 
shroud,  and  give  it  back  to  earth. 

To  show  their  love,  they  made  its  grave  beneath  a 
spreading  walnut,  where  the  green  mound  would  be  shel- 
tered from  the  burning  sun,  and  the  footsteps  of  love 
might  linger,  and  the  heart-broken  water  it  with  their 
tears. 


MISSION   BURIAL    GROUND. 


155 


imoDg  the 

Must  its 

or  was  it 

I  sacrifice  ? 

string,  and 

eitiier  cold 

ing  its  way 
ng  window 
io  the  door. 
;,  was  heard 
ceased,  and 
This  is  all 
it.     But  it 
as  beautiful 
rl  witn  that 
iasant  voice 
ke  in  every 
ight  leaves 

elpless  and 

nourish  it  ? 

I. 

id  and  died. 

t  had  found 

;w  cold,  and 

lyrap  it  in  a 

beneath  a 
uld  be  shel- 
eps  of  love 
with  their 


The  sod  was  removed  and  the  dark  earth  thrown  up, 
and  soon  they  came  to  the  crumbling  bones  of  a  man.  It 
was  probably  a  warrior's  grave.  But  they  laid  the  little 
strange  baby  upon  his  breast,  and  covered  them,  to  be 
again  disturbed  perhaps  in  some  far-off  century,  by  an- 
other people  and  ruder  hands. 

Near  by  is  another  little  one,  whose  grandfather  was 
taken  captive  nearly  a  century  before  on  the  banks  of  the 
Juniata ;  whose  mother  and  grandmother  were  Indian 
women,  and  who  was  given  when  an  infant  to  the  mission 
family  to  be  their  own.  It  was  a  little  girl,  whom  they 
named  Louisa  Maria,  and  who,  though  she  died  in  early 
childhood,  lived  long  enough  to  become  a  bud  of  promise, 
yes,  a  blossom  of  Christian  love,  and  hope,  and  faith,  a 
lamb  of  Christ's  flock.  She  belonged  to  the  class  of  those 
who  always  die  in  infancy,  "  whose  names  are  all  on  grave- 
stones." They  are  perfected  without  the  discipline  of 
earth's  trials,  and  transplanted  to  bloom  as  spring  flowers 
in  the  gardens  above.  Life  would  be  a  dreary  pathway 
without  the  little  ones,  and  there  would  be  discord  in  the 
heavenly  choir  without  the  soft  melody  of  infant  voices. 
A  little  while  before  she  died,  lying  still  upon  the  bed, 
there  came  a  sweet  smile  upon  her  face,  and  she  said,  "  I 
see  them,  ma,  angels,  angels  all  round  me,  come  to  carry 
me  away !  "  and  then  she  kissed  each  friend  as  if  she 
were  bidding  them  goodby,  to  return  again,  and  imme- 
diately soared  away  where  angel-children  dwell. 

In  the  same  inclosure,  under  the  same  spreading  tree, 
was  buried  a  little  Indian  boy,  whose  mother  had  been 
long  a  member  of  the  mission  church. 

It  was  a  cold  day  in  January  when  he  came  in  a  little 
sad  from  his  play,  and  said,  '<  Mother,  I  do  not  feel  well ; 
will  you  take  care  of  me  ?  " 


,i;i, 


(■ " 


A 


156 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


w 

w 


■  .m 


ft. 

».'' 

sii 

te 

:;i 

fl 

/w'' 

.  ■  ■'  ^ 

W'' 

■     '• 

t'^:i 

':«;  .! 


t';  Jilii 


His  mother  was  busy  and  did  not  answer,  and  soon  he 
said  again,  "  Will  you  put  your  hand  upon  my  head, 
mother ;  it  aches  ?  I  think  I  shaii  be  sick  and  die  ;  but 
I  shall  go  to  heaven,  where  God  lives,  and  be  happy." 

He  had  never  before  talked  of  death,  and  it  was  not 
known  that  he  had  ever  particularly  thought  of  it.  But 
now  he  often  said,  "  I  am  going  to  Jesus,  you  must  give 
up  me,  mother.  I  am  not  afraid,  I  am  happy."  A  quick 
consumption  soon  wasted  his  form  and  destroyed  the 
bloom  upon  his  rosy  cheek,  but  he  thought  only  of  the 
bright  world  to  which  he  was  going. 

Their  home  was  a  rude  Indian  cabin,  but  the  mother 
was  a  refined  Christian  woman.  She  knew  not  how  to 
read,  but  she  had  learned  the  language  of  pra;,er.  Her 
heart,  too,  was  swelling  with  a  mother's  love.  She  knew 
not  how  to  give  him  up.  A  few  moments  before  he  died, 
in  great  distress  I  e  said,  "  Now  mother,  pray."  She  knelt 
alone  beside  him,  and  in  her  own  rich  language  poured 
out  her  heart  to  God.  When  she  had  finished  he  said, 
"  Some  one  has  come  in — how  pleasant  he  looks."  No 
one  had  entered,  but  still  he  gazed  as  if  looking  upon 
some  beautiful  object,  then  slowly  drooped  the  lid  over 
the  brightly -kindled  eye,  and  he  was  gone. 

In  the  gateway  of  this  entrance  to  the  city  of  the  dead 
was  buried  a  distinguished  pagan  chief,  and  all  around  sleeps 
the  dust  of  Indian  warriors  and  chiefs,  sad  relics  of  those 
who  fell  in  bloody  battles  long  before  the  red  man  has 
any  tradition  concerning  the  spot.  Here,  too,  are  many 
captives,  borne  from  Christian  firesides  in  childhood,  to 
become  the  brethren  of  the  children  of  the  wilderness,  and 
be  laid  to  rest  away  from  their  kindred  in  a  strange  land, 
and  here  are  old  men  and  aged  women  who,  at  the 
eleventh  hour,  came  up  to  labor  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord. 


I 


MISSION    BURIAL    GROUND. 


157 


id  soon  he 
my  head, 
die ;  but 
appy." 
it  was  not 
r  it.  But 
must  give 
A  quick 
royed  the 
aly  of  the 

ihe  mother 
tot  how  to 
J  er.     Her 

She  knew 
re  he  died, 

She  knelt 
ige  poured 
d  he  said, 
3ks."  No 
king  upon 
lid  over 

the  dead 

>und  sleeps 

IS  of  those 

man  has 

are  many 

ildbood,  to 

erness,  and 

ange  land, 

10,  at  the 

Eird  of  the 


An  old  lady  used  to  come  tottering  to  meeting  when 
it  seemed  impossible  her  feeble  limbs  could  support  her. 
When  surprise  was  expressed  that  she  should  come  when 
the  weather  was  cold,  and  she  had  so  far  to  walk,  she  said 
with  great  earnestness,  "  Oh  !  I  shall  always  come  as 
long  as  I  can  get  here,  and  when  my  poor  body  is  too 
feeble  to  attempt  it  longer,  /  shall  how  my  head  this  way 
as  often  as  the  season  of  prayer  returns.''^ 

Her  dust  is  now  mingling  with  the  strange  group  in 
this  strange  place,  and  yet  it  is  still  but  a  few  years  since 
the  messengers  of  a  better  faith  came  among  them.  The 
fruits  have  been  rich  and  abundant,  among  those  who  be- 
longed to  the  generation  already  passed  away,  and  among 
those  who  are  still  living  useful  and  honored  in  the  Church 
and  the  community,  rejoicing  the  hearts  of  those  who 
have  diligently  and  faithfully  labored,  as  stewards  of 
Him  who  is  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  and  who  sent  them 
forth. 

May  they  live  to  see  the  wilderness  become  a  fruitful 
field,  and  the  desert  a  garden  under  their  fostering  care, 
and  richly  will  they  be  rewarded  when  they  too  shall 
cross  over  Jordan. 


d' 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


tr 


ELOQUENCE   AMONG  THE   IROQUOIS RED   JACKET,  OR 

SA-GO-YE-WAT-HA, 

Bravery  and  every  warlike  trait,  characterized  all  the 
Indian  races,  but  oratory  was  heard  only  among  the  Iro- 
quois ;  and  the  Forum  in  the  palmy  days  of  Rome,  the 
Parliament-house  of  England,  or  the  Senate-chamber  at 
Washington,  never  echoed  more  thrilling  strains  than  the 
sylvan  temple  in  which  were  assembled  the  red  children 
of  the  wilderness,  to  listen  to  the  eloquence  of  their  most 
distinguished  Chief,  Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, — or  as  his  people 
were  accustomed  to  call  him,  the  "  Young  Prince  of  the 
Wolf  Clan," — in  the  days  when  trials  and  bitter  wrongs 
stirred  the  deepest  and  the  loftiest  emotions  in  the  bosom 
of  the  untutored  Indian. 

The  name  which  Red  Jacket  received  in  his  infancy 
was  0-tetiana,  and  signified  Always  ready.  Accord- 
ing to  the  custom  of  his  people,  when  he  became  chief  he 
took  another,  Sa-go-ye-wat-ha,  which  means  He  keeps 
THEM  AWAKE.  The  Insignificant  one  which  he  always 
bore  after  his  acquaintance  with  white  people,  was  given 
him  on  account  of  the  red  jacket  in  which  he  was  always 
seen,  and  which  was  presented  him  by  a  British  officer  as 
a  reward  for  some  special  service.  It  was  richly  em- 
broidered, and  he  took  great  pride  in  wearing  it.  When 
one  was  worn  out,  another  was  presented  him,  so  that  it 
became  a  mark  to  distinguish  him,  and  acquired  him  the 
name. 


C 


KET,     OR 

i  all  the 
r  the  Iro- 
lome,  the 
lamber  at 
I  than  the 
I  children 
heir  most 
is  people 
ice  of  the 
er  wrongs 
;he  bosom 

iS  infancy 

Accord' 

J  chief  he 

In   KEEPS 

always 
was  given 
as  always 
officer  as 
ichly  em- 
When 
so  that  it 
d  him  the 


Kill)  JACKE'I'. 


HI: 


8*^ 


Wr-  t 


■i  A 


1 


U*   yi 


RED   JACKET. 


159 


As  the  government  and  whole  construction  of  the 
Iroquois  confederacy  was  a  pure  democracy,  few  were 
born  to  titles.  All  honors  must  be  earned.  Sometimes 
families  gained  a  kind  of  distinction  by  their  wisdom  in 
council,  or  their  bravery  in  war,  as  did  that  of  Brandt, 
the  great  ^Mohawk  chief;  but  Red  Jacket  had  an  humble 
origin,  even  in  the  estimation  of  his  own  people. 

His  birth-place  was  Canoga,  west  of  Cayuga  Lake,  in 
1750.  It  has  been  the  universal  testimony  of  books  that 
he  was  a  coward ;  and  this  inference  has  been  drawn  very 
naturally,  perhaps,  from  the  fact  that  he  opposed  war,  and 
seldom  wielded  the  tomahawk.  But  the  old  men  of  his 
nation  who  knew  him,  and  the  motives  from  which  he 
acted,  deny  the  charge.  The  Mohawk  Chieftain  held 
him  in  great  contempt,  and  was  in  the  habit  of  repeating 
various  anecdotes  to  bring  his  courage  into  disgrace 
among  his  people.  Among  the  old  men  now  living  who 
knew  him,  there  are  many  who  assert  that  he  was  brave, 
and  not  at  all  lacking  in  the  qualities  they  admire  in  the 
warrior.  They  assign  other  reasons  for  his  persevering 
opposition  to  war,  and  maintain  that  his  superior  sagacity 
led  him  to  see  the  consequences  of  war  to  the  Indian.  In 
the  Revolutionary  contest,  the  red  men  enlisted  on  the 
side  of  the  British,  believing  it  to  be  for  their  interest. 
They  could  not  understand  any  thing  of  the  real  nature 
of  the  controversy  between  the  two  rival  powers,  and 
were  justifiable  in  studying  their  own  interest  alone. 
When  the  war  was  over,  they  saw  themselves  deprived 
of  their  territory,  and  obliged  still  to  flee  before  their 
pursuers.  The  Mohawks  removed  to  Canada,  and  the 
remnants  of  the  other  nations  fell  back  to  Western  New 
York.  Red  Jacket  saw  that  the  Indians  were  only  used 
as  instruments  for  promoting  the  interest  of  the  white 
men.     Why  should  they  be  torn  asunder  and  scattered  to 


■» 


160 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


the  four  winds,  in  order  to  fight  thq,  battles  of  their  ene- 
mies? Their  warriors  fought  and  bled,  but  what  was 
their  reward  ?  To  be  driven  from  the  land  they  defended. 
Let  them  alone,  said  the  wise  man  and  the  orator.  Let 
us  remain  upon  our  lands  and  take  care  of  ourselves.  So 
they  called  him  coward ;  but  when  his  prophecies  had 
been  fulfilled,  they  saw  the  wisdom  of  his  decrees.  He 
saw  the  end  from  the  beginning,  but  with  all  his  eloquence 
he  could  not  stay  the  tide  which  was  swallowing  them  up. 
He  was  a  Cayuga  on  his  father's  side,  and  the  Cayugas 
claim  to  have  been  a  thoughtful  and  far-seeing  people. 
His  eloquence  has  never  been  disputed  ;  and  that  he  was 
an  ORATOR,  was  his  own  peculiar  pride  and  boast. 

Cicero  was  accused  of  cowardice,  and  Caesar  was  cer- 
tainly timid,  and  both  wete  charged  with  treachery ;  but 
their  voices  have  echoed  through  the  world.  Red  Jacket 
has  been  placed  side  by  side  with  them  on  this  platform, 
and  had  he  spoken  a  language  which  the  leariied  could 
understand  and  correctly  translate,  his  fame  might  have 
equalled  theirs. 

It  is  asserted  by  others  that  an  orator  must  necessa- 
rily  be  a  coward.  His  is  a  moral  courage  alone  ;  and  the 
enthusiasm,  emotion,  and  fine  feeling  which  are  necrssary 
to  the  orator,  make  physical  courage  and  strong  nerves 
impossible.  Tt  is  rjot  necessary  to  ascribe  every  species 
of  greatness  to  one  man,  and  Red  Jacket  bad  plenty -of 
gifts  without  those  which  constitute  the  warrior. 

Of  his  childhood  we,  of  course,  know  nothing ;  and 
like  many  another,  he  owed  his  celebrity  to  the  troublous 
times  in  which  he  lived.  The  powers  of  the  orator  can 
only  be  exhibited"  on  occasions  of  great  interest ;  and  the 
mighty  intellect  of  lied  Jacket  could  not  ha\c  exercised 
itself  upon  theology,  or  law,  or  philosophy,  for  the  Indian 
was  a  stranger  to  all  these  things. 


(( 


PLEA    OF   THE    WOMEN. 


161 


leir  ene- 
tiat  was 
jfended. 
r.     Let 
res.     So 
iies  had 
les.     He 
loquence 
them  up. 
Cayugas 
;  people. 
b  he  was 


■  was  cer- 
ery ;  but 
jd  Jacket 
platform, 
led  could 
ight  have 

b  necessa- 
and  the 
nectssary 
ng  nerves 
ry  species 
)lentyof 


ling 


and 
troublous 
rutor  can 
;  and  the 
.  xercised 
he  Indian 


One  of  the  first  forensic  efforts  of  the  young  Chief 
was  in  behalf  of  the  women  of  his  people,  who,  as  I  have 
said,  were  permitted  to  exert  their  influence  in  all  public 
and  important  matters.     In  the  year  1791,  when  Wash- 
ington wished  to  secure  the  neutrality  of  the  Six  Nations, 
a  deputation  was  sent  to  treat  with  them,  but  was  not 
favorably  received,  as  many  of  the  young  Chiefs  were  for 
war  and  sided  with  the  British.     The  women,  as  is  usual, 
preferred  peace,  and  argued  that  the  land  was  theirs,  for 
they  cultivated  and  took  care  of  it,  and,  therefore,  had  a 
right  to  speak  concerning  the  use  that  should  be  made  of 
its  products.     They  demanded  to  be  heard  on  this  occa- 
sion, and  addressed  the  deputation  first  themselves  in  the 
following  words  :      "  Brother : — The    Great   Ruler    has 
spared  us  until  a  new  day  to  talk  together ;  for  since  you 
came  here  from  General  Washington,  you  and  our  uncle?^ 
the  Sachems  have  been  counselling  together.     Moreover, 
your  sisters,  the  women,  have  taken  the  same  into  great 
consideration,  because  you  and  our  Sachems  have  said  so 
much  about  it.     Now,  that  is  the  reason  we  have  come  to 
say  something  to  you,  and  to  tell  you  that  the  Great 
Ruler  hath  preserved  you,  and  that  you  ought  to  hear  and 
listen  to  what  we,  women,  shall  speak,  as  well  as  the 
Sachems ;  for  we  are  the  owners  of  this  land,  and  it  is 
OURS !    It  is  we  that  plant  it  for  our  and  their  use.    Hear 
us,  therefore,  for  we  speak  things  that  concern  us  and  our 
cliildrcn ;  and  you  must  not  think  hard  of  us  while  our 
men  shall  say  more  to  you,  for  we  have  told  them." 

They  then  designated  Red  Jacket  as  their  speaker, 
and  ho  took  up  the  speech  of  his  clients  as  follows : 

"  Brothers  from  Pennsylvania  : — You  that  arc  sent 
from  General  Washington,  and  by  the  thirteen  fires ;  you 
have  been  sitting  sidr*  by  side  with  us  every  day,  and  the 


M 


It  V'l 


Is 

..*fi! 


162 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


Great  Euler  has  appointed  us  another  pleasant  day  to 
meet  again. 

"  Now  LISTEN,  Brothers  : — You  know  it  has  been  the 
request  of  our  head  warriors,  that  we  are  left  to  answer 
for  our  women,  who  are  to  conclude  what  ought  to  be 
done  by  both  Sachems  and  warriors.  So  hear  what  is 
their  conclusion.  The  business  you  come  on  is  very 
troublesome,  and  we  have  been  a  long  time  considering 
it ;  and  now  the  elders  of  '  ur  women  have  said  that  our 
Sachems  and  warriors  must  help  you,  for  the  good  of 
them  and  their  children,  and  you  tell  us  the  Americans 
are  strong  for  peace. 

"  Now,  all  that  has  been  done  for  you,  has  been  done 
by  our  women ;  the  rest  will  be  a  hard  task  for  us ;  for 
the  people  at  the  setting  sun  are  bad  people,  and  you  have 
come  in  too  much  haste  for  such  great  matters  of  im- 
portance. And  now.  Brothers,  you  must  look  when  it 
is  light  in  the  morning,  until  the  setting  sun,  and  you 
must  reach  your  reck  over  the  land  to  take  in  all  the 
light  you  can  to  shjv;  the  danger.  And  these  are  the 
words  of  our  women  to  you,  and  the  Sachems  and  warri- 
ors who  shall  go  with  you. 

"  Now,  Brother  from  Pennsylvania  and  from  General 
Washington,  I  have  told  you  all  I  was  directed.  Make 
your  minds  easy,  and  let  us  throw  all  care  on  the  mercy 
of  the  Great  Keeper,  in  hopes  that  he  will  assist  us." 

So  there  was  peace  instead  of  war,  as  there  would 
often  be  if  the  voice  of  woman  could  be  heard  !  and 
though  the  Seneoas,  in  revising  their  laws  and  customs, 
have  in  a  measure  acceded  to  the  civilized  barbarism  of 
treating  the  opinions  of  women  with  contempt,  where  their 
interest  is  cvjU'.i,  they  still  cannot  sign  a  treaty  without 
the  consent  of  two  thirds  of  the  mothers ! 

On  another  occasion  the  women  sent  a  message,  which 


INDIAN    SUPERSTITIONS. 


163 


Lt  day  to 

I  been  the 
io  answer 
jht  to  be 
r  what  is 
Q  is  very 
jnsidering 
d  that  our 
)  good  of 
A.mericans 

been  done 
or  us;  for 
i  you  have 
;er8  of  ira- 
ok  when  it 
D,  and  you 

in  all  the 
Qse  are  the 

and  warri- 

3m  General 
ted.     Make 
the  mercy 
ist  us." 
hero  would 
leard  !    and 
nd  customs, 
irbarism  of 
where  their 
aty  without 

ssago,  which 


Red  Jacket  delivered  for  them,  saying  that  they  fully 
concurred  in  the  opinion  of  their  Sachems,  that  the  white 
people  had  been  the  cause  of  all  the  Indians'  distresses. 
The  white  people  had  pressed  and  squeezed  them  together, 
until  it  gave  them  great  pain  at  their  hearts.  One  of  the 
white  women  had  told  the  Indians  to  repent ;  and  they 
now,  in  turn,  called  on  the  white  people  to  repent — they 
having  as  much  need  of  repentance  as  the  Indians.  They, 
therefore,  hoped  the  pale-faces  would  repent  and  wrong 
the  Indians  no  more. 

At  the  termination  of  hostilities  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain,  the  Indians,  who  were  the  allies 
of  the  English,  were  left  to  take  care  of  themselves  as 
best  they  could.  Though  they  had  fought  desperately  in 
their  own  way,  and  inflicted  every  species  of  suflfering 
upon  our  people,  Washington  extended  to  them  the  hand 
of  friendship  and  offered  them  protection.  His  kindness 
won  him  the  gratitude  of  the  Indian,  and  procured  for 
him  a  boon  they  have  bestowed  upon  no  other  white  man, 
except  William  Penn.  He  is  permitted  to  enter  para- 
dise, though  not  within  the  sacred  inclosure  where  the 
red  man  dwells.  Near  the  entrance  to  Heaven  is  fitted 
up  a  beautiful  garden,  where  bloom  the  most  beautiful 
flowers,  and  tho  grandest  trees  of  the  forest  wave  theii 
boughs.  In  this  glorious  Eden,  Washington  is  the  only 
inhabitant,  and  walks  to  and  fro  in  the  flowery  paths, 
dressed  in  hia  soldier's  uniform,  and  perfectly  happy, 
though  no  word  ever  passes  his  lips.  The  Indian,  on  his 
way  to  his  own  Heaven,  is  permitted  to  look  upon  the 
man  whom  the  Great  Spirit  has  thus  honored,  but  no 
sign  of  recognition  is  made,  as  nothing  must  disturb  his 
meditations,  or  mar  the  perfect  felicity  which  he  is  to  en- 
joy through  eternity  in  his  celestial  residence. 

Though  we  hope  he  has  gone  to  a  happier  and  more 


I)  . 


m 


■  W"  I: 


■Ik.  ■ 

IS 

■■•■'■1.; 


164 


THE    IROQUCIS. 


\i 


delightful  abode  than  this,  the  Indian  has  conferred  upon 
him  the  greatest  honor  it  was  in  his  imagination  to  con- 
ceive, and  the  highest  proof  of  his  confidence  in  his  good- 
ness and  belief  in  his  benevolence ;  and  it  is  gratifying  to 
us  to  record  this  of  our  beloved  Washington,  among  all 
the  wrongs  which  this  simple  people  have  to  relate  con- 
cerning those  in  whose  power  it  was  to  awalien  similar 
emotions,  and  who  preferred  to  fill  them  with  indignation 
and  revenge. 

Red  Jacket  was  one  of  fifty  Chiefs  who  went  to  con- 
fer with  Washington  at  the  seat  of  government,  v/here 
they  were  treated  with  great  attention,  and  professed  to 
be  satisfied  with  the  provisions  made  for  their  people,  and 
to  be  convinced  that  peace  and  civilisation  were  now  their 
only  hope. 

When  they  were  about  to  leave,  Washington  presented 
Red  Jacket  with  a  large  silver  medal,  bearing  his  own 
likeness,  which  he  wore  till  his  death,  and  of  which  be 
was  very  proud.  During  this  visit,  General  Knox  pre- 
sented each  of  the  Chiefs  with  a  military  suit  of  clothes, 
with  a  cocked  hac  as  worn  by  the  officers.  When  Red 
Jacket's  suit  was  offered  him,  he  said,  as  he  was  aot  a 
war  Chief  he  could  not  consistently  wear  duch  a  dress, 
and  requested  that  a  different  suit  might  be  given  him, 
more  suitable  to  his  station.  But  when  the  plain  dress 
was  brought,  he  declined  giving  up  the  regimentals, 
coolly  remarking,  that  though  as  a  Sachem  he  could  not 
wear  a  military  uniform  in  time  of  peace,  yet  in  time  of 
war  the  Sachems  joined  the  warriors,  and  he  would, 
therefore,  keep  it  till  war  broke  out,  when  he  could  assume 
a  military  dress  with  proprieiy. 

Once  on  being  invited,  with  several  of  his  people,  to 
dine  at  the  house  of  an  officer,  he  ate  very  voraciously  of 
many  kinds  of  meat ;  and  seeing  the  surprise  of  the  host, 


he 


erred  upon 
on  to  con- 
1  his  good- 
atifying  to 
among  all 
relate  con- 
ion  similar 
ndignation 

mt  to  con- 
lent,  v/here 
rofessed  to 
people,  and 
B  now  their 

1  presented 

ig  his  own 

f  which  be 

Knox  pre- 

of  clothes, 

When  Red 

B  was  aot  a 

}h  a  dress, 

given  him, 

plain  dress 

cgimentals, 

e  could  not 

in  time  of 

ho   would, 

3uld  assume 

3  people,  to 
raoiously  of 
of  the  host, 


RED   JACKET. 


165 


I 


he  remarked  that  he  belonged  to  the  Wolf  Clan,  and 
"  wolves  were  always  fond  of  meat." 

"  I  am  an  orator ;  I  was  born  an  orator,"  was  all  the 
boast  Red  Jacket  could  make  with  the  certainty  of  being 
at  that  time  appreciated ;  and  to  all  future  generations 
his  name  will  descend,  enrolled  on  the  list  with  Demos- 
thenes and  Cicero  in  ancient,  and  Pitt  and  Randolph  and 
Webster  in  modern  times ;  and  though  a  Pagan,  and  be- 
longing to  a  rude,  uncultivated  race,  his  vices  were  no 
greater  than  those  of  men  who  lived  all  their  lives  under 
Christian  influences,  and  professed  to  be  believers  in  the 
pure  gospel  of  the  Redeemer,  and  to  govern  their  lives 
by  His  holy  will  and  example. 

He  strenuously  opposed  every  effort  to  inti'>duoe 
Christianity  among  his  people,  for  he  could  not  under- 
stand how  it  could  bo  so  valuable  or  necessary,  when  he 
saw  how  little  it  influenced  tVo  conduct  of  white  men,  and 
the  wrongs  they  inflicted  in  the  name  of  their  God  upon 
the  red  man.  He  could  not  make  the  distinction  betwcsen 
thosb  who  possessed  religion  and  those  who  professed  it ; 
and  as  he  came  in  contact  with  very  few  who  walked  up- 
rightly, he  liaturally  concluded  that  a  religion  which  did 
no  more  for  its  followers  was  not  worth  adopting.  He 
believed  that  the  Great  Spirit  had  formed  the  red  and 
white  man  distinct ;  that  they  could  no  more  be  of  one 
creed  than  one  cc'or;  and  when  the  wars  were  over  and 
iiiere  was  nothing  more  for  them  to  do,  he  wished  to  be 
separated  entirely  from  white  men,  and  return  as  much 
as  possible  to  their  old  customs. 

He  saw  his  people  wasting  away  before  the  palefaces, 
as  he  once  said  in  a  speech  before  a  great  assemblage : 

*•  We  stand  a  small  island  in  the  bosom  of  the  great 
waters.  We  are  encircled, — we  are  encompassed.  The 
Evil  Spirit  rides  upon  the  blast,  and  the  waters  are  dis 


Py)  i  ': 


166 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


1% 


I*  "I 


turbed.  They  rise,  they  press  upon  us,  and  the  waves 
once  settled  over  us,  we  disappear  for  ever.  Who,  then, 
lives  to  mourn  us  ?  None  !  What  marks  our  extermina- 
tion ?  Nothing !  We  are  mingled  with  the  common 
elements." 

If  historians  have  rightly  judged,  the  first  missionaries 
sent  among  the  Senecas  were  not  very  judicious,  and  did 
not  take  the  wisest  course  to  make  their  religion  accepta- 
ble to  any  people,  and  especially  to  a  wronged  and  out- 
raged race. 

In  1805,  a  young  missionary  was  sent  into  the  country 
of  the  Six  Nations,  by  the  name  of  Cram.  A  council 
^7as  called  to  consider  whether  to  receive  him,  and  after 
he  had  made  an  introductory  speech.  Bed  Jacket  made 
the  following  reply : 

*'  Friend  and  Brother  : — It  was  the  will  of  the 
Great  Spirit  that  we  should  meet  together  this  day.  He 
orders  all  things,  ai>d  has  given  us  a  fine  day  for  our 
council.  He  has  takon  his  garment  from  before  the  sun, 
and  caused  it  to  shine  with  brightness  upon  us.  For  all 
these  things  we  thank  the  Great  Ruler,  and  Him  ow/y/ 

*•'  Brother  : — This  council-fire  was  kindled  by  you. 
It  was  at  your  request  that  we  came  together  at  this  time. 
We  hav)  listened  with  joy  to  what  you  have  said.  You 
requested  us  to  speak  our  minds  freely.  This  gives  uj» 
great  joy,  for  we  now  consider  that  we  stand  upright  be- 
fore you  and  can  speak  what  we  think.  All  have  heard 
your  voice,  and  can  speak  to  you  as  one  man.  Our  minds 
are  agreed. 

"  Brother  : — Listen  to  what  we  say.  There  was  a 
time  when  our  forefathers  c^wned  this  great  island.  Their 
seats  extended  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun.  The 
Great  Spirit  had  made  it  for  the  use  of  Indians.  He 
had  created  the  buffalo,  the  deer,  and  other  animals  for 


'■', 


were 
we   Ai 
You 
to  tori 


ELOQUENCE    OF    RED   JACKET. 


167 


the  waves 
Vho,  then, 
ixtermina- 
common 

issionaries 
s,  and  did 
m  accepta- 

and  out- 
he  country 
A  council 

and  after 
cket  made 

ill  of  the 
}  day.     He 
lay  for  our 
re  the  sun, 
LS.     For  all 
[iM  only  I 
3d  by  you. 
it  this  time, 
said.     You 
lis  gives  us 
upright  be- 
have heard 
Our  minds 

rhere  was  a 
land.  Their 
5  sun.  The 
ttdians.  He 
animals  for 


food.  He  had  made  the  bear  and  the  beaver.  Their 
skins  served  us  for  clothing.  He  had  scattered  them  over 
the  country,  and  taught  us  how  to  take  them.  He  had 
caused  the  earth  to  produce  corn  for  bread.  All  this  He 
had  done  for  His  red  children,  because  He  loved  them. 
If  we  had  some  disputes  about  our  hunting-ground,  they 
were  generally  settled  without  the  shedding  of  much 
blood.  But  an  evil  day  came  upon  us.  Your  forefathers 
crossed  the  great  water,  and  landed  upon  this  island. 
Their  numbers  were  small.  They  found  friends,  and  not 
enemies.  They  told  us  they  had  fled  from  their  own 
country  on  account  of  wicked  men,  and  had  come  here  to 
enjoy  their  religion.  They  asked  for  a  small  seat.  We 
took  pity  on  them,  granted  their  request,  and  they  sat 
down  amongst  us.  We  gave  them  corn  and  meat ;  they 
gave  us  poison  (rum)  in  return. 

"  The  white  people,  Brother,  had  now  found  our 
country.  Tidings  were  carried  back,  and  more  came 
amongst  us.  Yet  we  did  not  fear  them.  We  took  them 
to  be  friends.  They  called  us  brothers ;  we  believed 
them,  and  gave  them  a  larger  seat.  At  length  their  num- 
bers had  greatly  increased.  They  wanted  more  land ; 
they  wanted  our  country.  Our  eyes  were  opened,  and 
our  minds  became  uneasy.  Wars  took  place.  Indians 
were  hired  to  fight  against  Indians,  and  many  of  our  peo- 
ple were  destroyed.  They  also  brought  strong  liquor 
amongst  us.  It  was  strong  and  powerful,  and  has  slain 
thousands. 

"  Brother  : — Our  seats  were  once  large,  and  yours 
were  small.  You  have  now  become  a  great  people,  and 
we  aave  scarcely  a  place  left  to  spread  our  blankets. 
Yoa  have  got  our  country,  but  are  not  satisfied ;  you  want 
to  force  your  religion  upon  us, 

*'  Brother  : — Continue  to  listen.     You  say  that  you 


m 


t       '   Ir 


Mi; 


!    ■•Ill' 


168 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


are  sent  to  instruct  us  how  to  worship  the  Great  Spirit 
agreeably  to  his  mind ;  and  if  we  do  not  take  hold  of  the 
religion  which  you  white  people  teach,  we  shall  be  unhap- 
py hereafter.  You  say  that  you  are  right,  and  we  are 
lost.  How  do  we  know  this  to  be  true  ?  We  understand 
that  your  religion  is  written  in  a  book.  If  it  was  in- 
tended for  us  as  well  as  you,  why  has  not  the  Great  Spirit 
given  to  us — and  not  only  to  us,  but  to  our  forefathers — 
the  knowledge  of  that  book,  with  the  means  of  under- 
standing it  rightly?  We  only  know  what  you  tell  us 
about  it.  How  shall  we  know  when  to  believe,  being  so 
often  deceived  by  the  white  people  ? 

"  Brother  : — You  say  there  is  but  one  way  to  worship 
and  serve  the  Great  Spirit.  If  there  is  but  one  religion, 
why  do  you  white  people  diflfer  so  much  about  it  ?  Why 
not  all  agree,  as  you  can  all  read  the  book  ? 

"  Brother  : — We  do  not  understand  these  things. 
We  are  told  that  your  religion  was  given  to  your  fore- 
fathers, and  has  been  handed  down  from  father  to  son. 
We,  also,  have  r-,  religion  which  was  given  to  our  fore- 
fathers, and  has  been  handed  down  to  us,  their  children. 
We  worship  in  that  way.  It  teaches  us  to  be  thankful 
for  all  the  favors  we  receive ;  to  love  each  other,  and  be 
united.     We  never  quarrel  about  religion. 

"  Brother  : — We  do  not  wish  to  destroy  your  religion 
or  take  it  from  you ;  we  only  want  to  enjoy  our  own. 

"  Brother  : — We  have  been  told  that  you  have  been 
preaching  to  the  white  people  in  this  place.  These  peo- 
ple are  our  neighbors.  We  arc  acquainted  with  them. 
We  will  wait  a  little  while,  and  see  what  eflfect  vour 
preaching  has  upon  them.  If  we  find  it  does  them 
good,  makes  them  honest,  and  less  disposed  to  cheat 
Indians,  we  will  then  consider  again  of  what  you  have 
said. 


no  lanj 
words 

AnI 
firat,  tc 


;!i 


ELOQUENCE    OP    RED    JACKET. 


169 


it  Spirit 
id  of  the 
e  unhap- 
we   are 
jderstand 
t  was  in- 
lat  Spirit 
fathers— 
of  under- 
1  tell  us 
being  so 

bo  worship 
e  religion, 
it?     Why 

5se  things, 
your  fore- 
ler  to  son. 
I  our  fore- 
ir  children. 
)e  thankful 
ler,  and  be 

our  religion 

ir  own. 

I  have  been 
These  peo- 

with  them, 
effect  your 
does   them 

cd  to  cheat 

it  you  have 


Brother  : — You  have  now  heard  our  talk,  and  this  is 
all  we  have  to  say  at  present.  As  we  are  going  to  part, 
■^e  will  come  and  take  you  by  the  hand,  and  hope  the 
Grreat  Spirit  will  protect  you  on  your  journey,  and  return 
you  safe  to  your  friends." 

According  to  the  suggestion  of  their  orator,  the  In- 
dians moved  forward  to  shake  hands  with  the  missionary  ; 
but  he  refused,  saying,  "  There  was  no  fellowship  between 
the  religion  of  God  and  the  Devil."  Yet  the  Indians 
smiled  and  retired  peacefully. 

At  another  time  Red  Jacket  said,  "  The  white  people 
were  not  content  with  the  wrongs  they  had  done  his  peo- 
ple, but  wanted  to  Cram  their  doctrines  down  their 
throats." 

In  a  conversation  with  a  distinguished  clergyman,  who 
was  endeavoring  to  instruct  him  on  the  subject  of  the 
Christian  religion,  not  many  years  before  his  death,  Red 
Jacket  said : 

"  Brother  : — If  you  white  men  murdered  the  Son  of 
the  Great  Spirit,  we  Indians  had  nothing  lo  do  with  it, 
and  it  is  none  of  our  affair.  If  he  had  come  among  us, 
we  would  not  have  killed  him ;  we  would  have  treated 
him  well ;  and  the  white  people  who  killed  him,  ought  to 
be  damned  for  doing  :t  You  must  make  amends  for  that 
crime  yourselves." 

On  being  invited  to  see  the  bridge  across  Niagara 
after  it  was  finished,  he  walked  across  it  and  examined 
every  part,  evidently  struck  with  admiration  at  the  skill 
and  science  displayed  in  the  building ;  and  when  he  was 
about  to  depart,  gazed  for  a  moment  with  an  expression 
no  language  can  convey,  and  slowly  uttered  t'hese  twQ 
words :  "  D ^d  Yankee 


» 


Another  attempt  was  made,  several  years  after  the 
fir^t,  to  introduce  n^issionaries  {)>n^Qi^g  his  people  ;  but  no 

8 


170 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


kf:  111' 


ii.il 
!!'  ill: 

i  V 


P       1     li 


argument  or  pcrsiiasion  could  induce  him  to  look  upon 
Christianity  w'lh  favor. 

In  another  eloquent  speech,  he  painted  in  glowing 
colors  the  curse  that  seemed  to  have  descended  upon  all 
those  Indians  who  had  been  made  the  object  of  pious  but 


mistaken    missions.      "  How  imbecile,   poor. 


ejQfeminate, 


contemptible,  drunken,  lying,  thieving,  cheating,  mali- 
cious, meddlesome,  backbiting,  quarrelsome,  degraded  and 
despised,  the  victims  of  civilized  instruction  had  become  ; 
having  lost  all  the  noble  qualities  of  the  Indian,  and  ac- 
quired all  the  ignoble  vices  of  the  white  people ; "  and 
then  adds : 

"  Brother  : — On  the  other  hand,  we  know  that  the 
G-reat  Spirit  is  pleased  that  we  follow  the  traditions  of 
our  fathers ;  for  in  so  doing  we  receive  his  blessing.  The 
Great  Spirit  has  provided  abundance.  When  we  are 
hungry,  we  find  the  forest  filled  with  game ;  when 
thirsty,  we  slake  our  thirst  at  the  pure  streams  and 
springs  that  spread  around  us ;  when  weary,  the  leaves  of 
the  trees  are  our  bed — we  retire  with  contentment  to 
rest — ^we  rise  with  gratitude  to  the  great  Preserver.  No 
luxuries,  no  vices,  no  disputed  titles,  no  avaricious  de- 
sires shake  the  foundations  of  our  society,  or  disturb  our 
peace  and  happiness. 

"  Brother  : — We  pity  you.  We  wish  you  to  bear  to 
our  good  friends  our  best  wishes.  Inform  them,  that  in 
compassion  to  them  we  are  willing  to  send  them  mission- 
aries to  teach  them  our  religion,  our  habits,  and  our  cus- 
toms. We  would  be  willing  they  should  be  as  happy  as 
we,  and  assure  them  if  they  will  follow  our  example,  they 
would  be  far  more  happy  than  they  are  now. 

"  Accept  this  advice.  Brother,  and  take  it  back  to 
your  friends  as  the  best  pledge  of  our  wishes  for  your 
welfare.     Perhaps  you  think  we  are  ignorant  and  unin- 


him. 


that 

and 

banish 

white 

which 

been 

was  n( 

should 

the  lai 

took  a 

insist 

letter 

the  lai 

are  fe 


THE    MISSIONARIES. 


171 


lok  tipon 

glowing 

upon  all 
pious  but 
ffeminate, 
ng,  mali- 
raded  and 
i  become ; 
,n,  and  ac- 
ple;"  and 

\ff  that  the 
iditions  of 
ising.    The 
en  we   are 
.me ;   when 
;reams  and 
le  leaves  of 
entment  to 
lerver.     No 
iricious  de- 
disturb  our 

a  to  bear  to 
lem,  that  in 
em  mission- 
and  our  cus- 
as  happy  as 
jample,  they 

e  it  back  to 
les  for  your 
it  and  unin- 


formed. Go,  then,  and  teach  the  white  people.  Select, 
for  example,  the  people  of  Buffalo.  Improve  their  morals 
and  refine  their  habits.  Make  them  less  disposed  t  , 
cheat  Indians.  Make  the  white  people  generally  lo.^« 
disposed  to  make  Indians  drunk,  and  to  take  from  tliom 
their  lands.  Let  us  know  the  tree  by  the  blossoms,  and 
the  blossoms  by  the  fruit.  When  this  shall  be  made  clear 
to  our  minds,  we  may  be  more  willing  to  listen  to  you. 

"  Brother  : — Farewell." 

'•  A  terrible  and  bitter  sati' <;  "  and  though  entirely 
unjust  as  far  as  true  religion  i ;  (*<«•,){,;  yied,  it  is  quite  un- 
answerable to  a  heathen  miii  ;.  awil  In  a  stumbling-block 
in  the  way  of  many  in  enlightened  communities. 

It  was  paga7i  white  people  who  poisoned  the  mind  of 
the  great  Chief,  and  prejudiced  him  against  the  mission- 
aries and  their  religion.  He  thought  them  the  enemies 
of  his  people ;  and  those  whose  interest  it  was  to  deceive 
him,  so  thoroughly  blinded  and  bewildered  him,  that  he 
came  very  near  being  the  destroyer,  rather  than  the  sa- 
viour, of  the  little  remnant  of  his  race.  They,  knowing 
that  the  missionaries  were  the  true  friends  of  the  Indian, 
and  understood  their  own  evil  machinations,  wished  to 
banish  them  from  the  lands.  A  law  was  passed  that  no 
white  people  should  settle  upon  the  Reservations,  to 
which  the  Indians  had  been  removed,  and  which  had 
been  secured  to  them  by  law  and  treaty ;  and  though  it 
was  no  part  of  the  design  that  missionaries  and  teachers 
should  be  excluded,  the  companies  who  wished  to  obtain 
the  lands  and  drive  the  Indians  beyond  the  Mississippi, 
took  advantage  of  the  law,  and  urged  the  pagan  Chiefs  to 
insist  upon  their  departure.  In  order  to  obey  the  strict 
letter  of  the  law,  they  were  obliged  to  go.  As  soon  as 
the  law  could  be  revised,  they  returned  again ;  and  there 
are  few  now,  among  Chiefs  or  people,  who  do  not  recog- 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


/^  .<^% 


fc' ^ 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


118 


1^  y^ 

m 

140 


|2.5 


12.2 

lu    lii 

^  iiiiii^ 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


'^.V^ 


2j  wnr  MAIN  STRin 

WIUTIR.N.Y.  U9M 
( 71 «)  •73-4903 


'<(V 


%" 


172 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


.M 


h' 


i  M 


nize  them  as  their  best  friends,  and  acknowledge  their 
inluence  to  be  for  their  true  interest,  temporal  as  well  as 
spiritual ;  and  they  are  fast  becoming  so  enlightened  by 
the  Gospel  and  by  universal  education,  through  their  un- 
tiring zeal,  as  to  be  in  no  future  danger  from  designing 
and  unprincipled  speculators. 

Before  he  died,  Bed  Jacket  began  to  discriminate 
truly  between  his  friends  and  foes,  and  to  understand  the 
disinterested  friendship  of  the  missionaries. 

He  had  always  great  confidence  in  the  Quakers; 
owing,  we  presume,  to  the  fact  that  no  land-shark  ever 
belonged  to  this  sect.  In  their  early  intercourse  with  the 
Indians,  they  were,  fortunately,  more  judicious  in  the 
measures  they  took  towards  advancing  them  in  all  the 
arts  of  cultivated  life.  As  the  great  Chief  once  said : 
"  They  give  us  ploughs,  and  show  us  how  to  use  them ; 
they  counsel  us  in  our  troubles,  and  instruct  us  how  to 
make  ourselves  comfortable ;  they  do  us  great  good — we 
are  satisfied  with  what  they  do." 

Witchcraft  was  punishable  with  death  by  the  laws  of 
the  Six  Nations,  and  it  often  happened  that  persons  were 
accused  of  exercising  the  powers  of  sorcery  upon  indi- 
viduals, when  sickness  could  be  accounted  for  in  no  other 
way,  and  their  arts  produced  no  e£fect  in  healing.  A 
case  of  this  kind  was  the  occasion  of  one  of  Bed  Jacket's 
most  sarcastic  speeches. 

A  woman  was  accused  of  causing  the  death  of  an  In- 
dian, whose  lingering  illness  they  could  not  understand, 
and  by  their  laws  condemned  to  die.  He  who  was  ap- 
pointed to  be  her  executioner,  faltered  in  the  hour  of 
trial,  and  another,  who  was  more  bold,  stepped  forward 
and  drew  the  knife  across  her  throat.  The  Indians  were 
not  subject  to  the  laws  of  the  United  States  as  far  as 
their  own  internal  af^iirs  were  concerned,  and  had  the 


WITCHCRAPT. 


173 


idge  their 
as  well  as 
htened  by 
i  their  un- 
i  designing 

iscrimiuate 
erstand  the 

)  Quakers; 
-shark  ever 
rse  with  the 
ious  in  the 
I  in  all  the 
'  once  said: 
I  use  them; 
t  us  how  to 
it  good — we 

the  laws  of 
persons  were 
upon  indi- 
r  in  no  other 
healing.  A 
led  Jacket's 

ith  of  an  In- 

understanJ, 

who  was  ap- 

the  hour  of 

iped  forward 

Indians  were 

tes  as  far  as 

and  had  the 


I 


right  to  administer  justice  as  they  pleased ;  but  seme  of 
their  neighbors,  being  shocked  at  these  summary  proceed- 
ings, arrested  the  murderer  and  put  him  in  prison.  A 
trial  was  had,  and  every  eflfort  made  to  procure  the  con- 
demnation, and  of  course  the  hanging,  of  the  accused, 
whose  name  was  Tommy  Jemmy;  but  the  Indians  in- 
sisted that  the  woman  had  been  as  judicially  condemned 
and  executed  as  Tommy  Jemmy  would  be  if  he  was 
given  up  to  them,  and  if  it  was  murder  in  the  one  case, 
it  would  be  murder  in  the  other. 

Bed  Jacket,  seeing  that  their  belief  in  witches  was 
the  theme  of  ridicule,  answered  in  these  words : 

"  What !  do  you  denounce  us  as  fools  and  bigots,  be- 
cause we  still  believe  what  you  yourselves  believed  only 
two  centuries  ago  ?  Your  black-coats  thundered  this  doc- 
trine from  the  pulpit ;  your  judges  pronounced  it  from 
the  bench,  and  sanctioned  it  with  the  formalities  of  law, 
and  you  would  now  punish  our  unfortunate  brother  for 
adhering  to  the  faith  of  his  fathers  and  of  yours !  Go  to 
Salem  I  Look  at  the  records  of  your  own  government, 
and  you  will  find  that  hundreds  have  been  executed  for 
the  very  crime  which  has  called  forth  the  sentence  of  con- 
demnation against  this  woman,  and  drawn  down  upon  her 
the  arm  of  vengeance.  What  have  oui  brothers  done 
more  than  the  rulers  of  your  people  have  done  ?  And 
what  crime  has  this  man  committed,  by  executing  in  a 
summary  way  the  laws  of  his  country  and  the  command 
of  the  Great  Spirit  ?  " 

It  is  said  his  looks  were  far  more  terrible  than  his 
words;  and  his  eye^  when  aroused  by  indignation,  was 
fearful  in  its  blaze.  He  gained  his  cause,  and  the  pris- 
oner was  liberated. 


174 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


SARCASM  AND  SAGACITY- 


-RED  JACKET,  OR  SA-GO-YE-WAT-HA. 


An  interesting  interview  is  related  in  Mr.  Stone's  Life 
of  Bed  Jacket,  as  having  taken  place  between  Bev.  Dr. 
Breckenbridge  and  the  great  Indian  orator,  and  I  transfer 
it,  as  given  by  this  author,  in  the  words  of  him  who 
wrote  it : 

"  The  first  opportunity  I  ever  enjoyed  of  seeing  that 
deservedly  celebrated  Indian  Chief,  Bed  Jacket,  was  in 
the  year  1821,  at  the  residence  of  General  Porter,  Black 
Bock,  New  York.  Being  on  a  visit  to  the  General  and 
his  family,  it  seemed  a  peculiarly  fit  occasion  to  become 
acquainted  with  the  great  Seneca  orator,  whose  tribe  re- 
sided within  a  few  miles  of  Black  Bock.  General  Porter 
embraced  the  Indian  warriors  who  fought  with  us  on  that 
line  durinr  ^e  late  war  with  Great  Britain  in  his  com- 
mand. F:  this  cause — from  his  high  character — his 
intimate  acquaintance  with  the  Chiefs,  and  his  known  at- 
taci'.meut  to  those  interesting  people,  he  had  great  influ- 
ence over  them ;  and  his  lamented  lady,  who,  it  is  not 
indelicate  for  me  to  say,  was  my  sister,  had  by  her  kind- 
ness won  the  rugged  hearts  of  all  their  leading  men.  So 
that  their  united  influence,  and  my  near  relationship  to 
them,  secured  to  me  at  once  access  to  the  Chiefs  and  their 
entire  confidence. 


civil 

in 

wit 


the 


YE-WAT-HA. 

Stone's  Life 
jn  Rev.  Dr. 
d  I  traDsfer 
of  him  who 

seeing  that 
cket,  was  in 
orter,  Black 
general  and 
1  to  become 
ose  tribe  re- 
neral  Porter 
h  us  on  that 

in  his  com- 
laracter — his 
lis  known  at- 
1  great  intlu- 
vho,  it  is  not 

by  her  kind- 
ing  men.  So 
ilationship  to 
iiefs  and  their 


INTERVIEW  WITH  RED   JACKET. 


175 


"  I  had  not  only  a  great  desire  to  see  JRed  Jacket,  but 
also  to  use  this  important  opportunity  to  correct  some  of 
his  false  impressions  in  regard  to  Christianity  and  the 
missionaries  established  in  his  tribe.  To  this  end  it  was 
agreed  to  invite  Red  Jacket  and  the  other  Chiefs  of  the 
Senecas  to  visit  Co-na-shus-tah,  and  meet  his  brother  at 
his  house.  The  invitation  was  accordingly  given,  and 
very  promptly  and  respectfully  accepted. 

"  On  the  appointed  day  they  made  vheir  appearance  in 
due  form,  headed  by  Red  Jacket,  to  the  number  of  eight 
or  ten  besides  himself.  He  wore  a  blue  dress,  the  upper 
garment  cut  after  the  fashion  of  a  hunting- shirt,  with 
blue  leggins,  a  red  jacket,  and  a  girdle  of  red  about  his 
waist.  I  have  seldom  seen  a  more  dignified  or  noble 
looking  body  of  men  than  the  entire  group.  It  seems — 
though  no  such  impression  was  designed  to  be  conveyed 
by  the  terms  of  the  invitation — that  some  indefinite  ex- 
pectation had  been  excited  in  their  minds  of  meeting  an 
official  agent  on  important  business.  And  they  have 
been  so  unworthily  tampered  with,  and  so  badly  treated 
by  us,  as  a  people,  and  many  of  their  most  important 
treaties  have  been  so  much  the  result  of  private  and  cor- 
rupting appeals,  that  they  very  naturally  looked  for  some 
evil  design  in  every  approach  to  them,  however  open  and 
simple  it  may  be.  So  it  was  on  this  occasion.  As  soon 
as  the  ceremonies  of  introduction  were  over,  with  the 
civilities  growing  out  of  it,  the  old  orator  seated  himself 
in  the  midst  of  the  circle  of  Chiefs,  and  after  a  word 
with  them,  followed  by  a  general  assent,  he  proceeded  in 
a  very  serious  and  commanding  manner — always  speaking 
in  his  own  nervous  tongue,  through  an  interpreter — to 
address  me,  in  substance,  as  follows : 

<•  <  We  had  a  call  from  our  good  friends  (pointing  to 
the  General  and  his  lady),  to  come  down  to  Black  Rock 


r. '  «i 


176 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


to  meet  their  brothers.  We  are  glad  to  break  bread  and 
drink  the  cup  of  friendship  with  them.  They  are  great 
friends  to  our  people,  and  we  love  them  very  much.  Co- 
na-shus-tah  is  a  great  man,  and  his  woman  has  none  like 
her.  We  often  come  to  their  house.  We  thank  them 
for  telling  us  to  come  to-day.  But  as  all  the  Chiefs 
were  asked,  we  expected  some  important  talk.  Now  here 
we  are,  what  is  your  business  ? ' 

"This,  as  may  readily  bo  supposed,  was  an  embar- 
rassing position  to  a  young  man  just  out  of  college.  I 
paused.  Every  countenance  was  fixed  upon  me,  while 
Bed  Jacket  in  particular  seemed  to  search  me  with  his 
arrowy  eye,  and  to  feel  that  the  private  and  informal  na- 
ture of  the  meeting,  and  the  extreme  youth  of  the  man, 
were  hardly  in  keeping  with  the  character  and  number  of 
the  guests  invited ;  and  his  whole  manner  implied, '  that 
but  for  the  sake  of  the  General  and  his  good  friends,  I 
should  have  waited  for  you  to  come  to  me.'  With  these 
impressions  of  his  feelings,  I  proceeded  to  say,  in  reply : 

"  '  That  I  should  have  thought  it  very  presumptuous 
in  me  to  send  for  him  alone — and  still  more,  for  all  the 
Chiefs  of  his  tribe — to  come  so  far  to  see  me ;  that  my 
intention  had  been  to  visit  him  and  the  other  Chiefs  at 
his  town  ;  but  the  General  and  his  lady  could  not  go  with 
me  to  introduce  me ;  nor  were  we  at  all  certain  that  we 
should  find  him  and  the  other  Chiefs  at  home ;  at  any 
rate,  the  General's  house  was  most  convenient.  That  as 
to  myself,  I  was  a  young  man,  and  had  no  business  with 
them,  except  that  I  had  heard  a  great  deal  of  Bed  Jacket, 
and  wished  to  see  him  and  hear  him  talk ;  and  that  I 
would  return  his  visit,  and  show  him  that  it  was  not  out 
of  disrespect,  but  out  of  regard  for  him,  and  great  desire 
to  see  him,  that  we  had  sent  for  him — this  being  the  way 
the  white  men  honor  one  another.'  --' 


dresi 

just 

was 

mesE 

had 

needj 

toare 

presJ 


INTERVIEW  WITH  RED   JACKET. 


177 


U' 


►read  and 
are  great 
iich.  Co- 
none  like 
lank  them 
he  Chiefs 
Now  here 

an  embar- 
!ollege.     I 
me,  while 
le  with  his 
iformal  na- 
f  the  man, 
number  of 
jlied, '  that 
1  friends,  I 
With  these 
^,  in  reply : 
38umptuous 

for  all  the 
e ;  that  my 
5r  Chiefs  at 
not  go  with 
ain  that  we 
me ;  at  any 
t.  That  as 
usiness  with 
Red  Jacket, 

and  that  I 
was  not  out 
great  desire 
sing  the  way 


"  Mrs.  Porter  immediately  confirmed  what  I  had  said, 
and  gave  special  point  to  the  hospitality  of  the  house, 
and  the  great  desire  I  had  to  see  Red  Jacket.  Her  ap- 
peal, added  to  the  reply,  relaxed  the  rigor  of  hii  manner 
and  that  of  the  other  Chiefs,  while  it  relieved  our  inter- 
view of  all  painful  feelings. 

"  After  this  general  letting  down  of  the  scene,  Red 
Jacket  turned  to  me  familiarly  and  asked :  '  What  are 
you?  You  say  you  are  not  a  government  agent;  are 
you  a  gambler  (meaning  a  land  speculator),  or  a  black- 
coat — or  what  are  you  ?  ' 

"  I  answered,  '  I  am  yet  too  young  a  man  to  engage 
in  any  profession ;  but  I  hope  some  of  these  days  to  be  a 
black  coat.' 

"  He  lifted  up  his  hands,  accompanied  by  his  eyes,  in 
a  most  expressive  way ;  and  though  not  a  word  was  ut- 
tered, every  one  fully  understood  that  he  very  distinctly 
expressed  the  sentiment,  '  What  a  fool ! '  But  I  had 
been  too  often  called  to  bear  from  those  reported  '  great 
and  wise  '  among  white  men,  the  shame  of  the  cross,  to 
be  surprised  by  his  manner ;  and  I  was  too  anxious  to 
conciliate  his  good  feelings  to  attempt  any  retort.  So  that 
I  commanded  my  countenance,  and  seeming  not  to  have 
observed  him,  I  proceeded  to  tell  him  something  of  our 
Colleges  and  other  institutions. 

"  A  good  deal  of  general  conversation  ensued,  ad- 
dressed to  one  and  another  of  the  Chiefs,  and  we  were 
just  arriving  at  the  hour  of  dinner,  when  our  conference 
was  suddenly  broken  up  by  the  arrival  of  a  breathless 
messenger,  saying  that  an  old  Chief,  whose  name  I  forget, 
had  just  died,  and  the  other  Chiefs  were  immediately 
needed  to  attend  his  burial  One  of  the  Chiefs  shed 
tears  at  the  news ;  all  seemed  serious,  but  the  others  sup- 
pressed their  feelings,  and  spent  a  few  moments  in  a  very 
8* 


178 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


'   w 


Si-'. 


earnest  conversation,  the  result  of  which  Red  Jacket  an< 
nounced  to  ns.  They  had  determined  to  return  at  once 
to  their  village,  -but  consented  to  leave  Ked  Jacket  and 
his  interpreter.  In  vain  were  they  urged  to  wait  till 
after  dinner,  or  to  refresh  themselves  with  something  to 
eat  by  the  way.  With  hurried  farewell  and  quick  steps 
they  left  the  house,  and  by  the  nearest  foot-pach  returned 
home. 

"  This  occurrence  relieved  me  of  one  difficulty :  it 
enabled  me  to  see  Eed  Jacket  at  leisure  alone.  It 
seemed,  also,  to  soften  his  feelings,  and  make  him  more 
a£fable  and  kind. 

"  Soon  after  the  departure  of  the  Chiefs,  we  were 
ushered  to  dinner.  Bed  Jacket  behaved  with  great  pro- 
priety in  all  respects ;  while  his  interpreter,  though  half 
a  white  man,  after  a  few  awkward  attempts  at  the  knife 
and  fork,  found  himself  falling  behind  ;  and  repeating  the 
adage,  which  is  often  quoted  to  cover  the  same  style 
among  our  white  urchins,  of  picking  a  chicken  bone, 
*  that  fingers  were  made  before  forks,''  he  proceeded  with 
real  gusto  and  much  good  humor  to  make  up  his  lost  time 
upon  all  parts  of  his  dinner.  It  being  over,  I  invited 
Ked  Jacket  into  the  General's  office,  where  we  had  four 
hours'  most  interesting  conversation  on  a  variety  of 
topics,  but  chiefly  connected  with  Christianity,  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States,  the  missionaries,  and  his 
loved  lands." 

It  was  during  this  interview  that  the  objects  of  specu- 
lators were  so  explained  to  him^  that  he  understood  their 
evil  designs ;  and  the  true  nature  of  the  missionary  en- 
terprise was  made  clear  to  his  comprehension,  so  that  his 
enmity  was  never  afterward  so  bitter. 

When  assured  that  by  the  course  be  was  pursuing,  he 
was  doing  more  than  any  one  else  to  break  up  and  drive 


the 


RED  JACKET. 


179 


Jacket  an- 
il at  once 
acket  and 
)  wait  till 
nething  to 
juick  steps 
ih  returned 

fficulty:   it 

alone.     It 

I  him  more 

:s,  we  were 
1  great  pro- 
though  half 
at  the  knife 
Bpeating  the 

same  style 
icken  bone, 
)ceeded  with 
his  lost  time 
I  invited 
we  had  four 

variety  of 
ity,  the  gov- 
ries,  and  his 

Bcts  of  specu- 
erstood  their 
kissionary  en- 
a,  80  that  his 

pursuing,  he 
up  and  drive 


away  his  people,  and  that  the  effect  of  the  teachings  of 
the  missionaries  was  to  preserve  them,  he  grasped  the 
hand  of  the  speaker  and  said  :  "  If  this  is  so,  it  is  new 
to  me,  and  I  will  lay  it  up  in  my  mind  (pointing  to  his 
noble  forehead),  and  talk  of  it  to  the  Chiefs  and  the 
people." 

Dr.  B.  continues:  "Red  Jacket  was  about  sixty 
years  old  at  this  time,  and  had  a  weather-beaten  look, 
which  age,  and  more  than  all,  intemperance  had  pro- 
duced ;  but  his  general  appearance  was  striking,  and  his 
face  noble.  His  lofty  and  capacious  forehead,  his  pier- 
cing black  eye,  his  gently  curved  lips,  fine  cheek  and 
slightly  aquiline  nose — all  marked  a  great  man ;  and  as 
sustained  and  expressed  by  his  dignified  air,  made  a  deep 
impression  on  all  who  saw  him.  All  these  features  be- 
came doubly  expressive,  when  his  mind  and  body  were 
set  in  motion  by  the  effort  of  speaking — if  effort  that  may 
be  called  which  flowed  like  a  stream  from  his  lips.  I  saw 
him  in  the  wane  of  life,  and  heard  him  only  in  private, 
and  through  a,  stupid  and  careless  interpreter.  Yet,  not- 
withstanding these  disadvantages,  he  was  one  of  tho 
greatest  and  most  eloquent  orators  I  ever  knew.  His  ca- 
dence  was  measured,  and  yet  very  musical;  and  when 
excited,  he  would  spring  to  his  feet,  elevate  his  head,  ex- 
pand his  arms,  and  utter  with  indescribable  effect  of 
manner  and  tone,  some  of  his  noblest  thoughts.^' 

General  Porter  speaL  cf  him  as  a  man  endowed  with 
great  intellectual  powers,  and  who,  as  an  orator,  was  not 
only  unsurpassed,  but  unequalled  by  any  of  his  contempo- 
raries. Although  those  who  were  ignorant  of  his  lan- 
guage could  not  fully  appreciate  the  force  and  beauty  of 
his  speeches,  when  received  through  the  medium  of  an 
interpreter, — generally  coarse  and  clumsy, — yet  such  was 
the  peculiar  gracefulness  of  his  person,  attitudes  and  ao- 


180 


THB  IROQUOIS. 


tion,  and  the  mellow  tones  of  his  Seneca  dialect,  and  such 
the  astonishing  effects  produced  on  that  part  of  the  audi- 
tory who  did  fully  understand  him,  and  whose  souls  ap- 
peared to  he  engrossed  and  borne  away  by  the  orator,  that 
he  was  listened  to  by  all  with  perfect  delight.  His  figures 
were  frequently  so  sublime,  so  apposite  and  so  beautiful, 
that  the  interpreter  often  said  the  English  language  was 
not  rich  enough  to  allow  of  doing  him  justice. 

Another  gentleman  says :  "  It  is  evident  that  the  best 
translations  Ox  Indian  speeches  must  fail  to  express  the 
beauty  and  sublimity  of  the  originals — especially  of  such 
an  original  as  Bed  Jacket.  It  has  been  my  good  fortune 
to  hear  him  a  few  times,  but  only  in  late  years,  when  his 
powers  were  enfeebled  by  age  and  intemperance ;  but  I 
shall  never  forget  the  impression  made  on  me  the  first 
time  I  saw  him  in  council.  The  English  language  has  no 
figures  to  convey  the  true  meaning  of  the  original,  but 
though  coming  through  the  medium  of  an  illiterate  inter- 
preter, I  saw  the  dismembered  parts  of  a  splendid 
oration." 

On  one  occasion  he  used  the  following  figurative  lan- 
guage in  speaking  of  the  encroachments  of  the  white 
people : 

"  We  first  knew  you  a  feeble  plant,  which  wanted  a 
little  earth  whereon  to  grow.  We  gave  it  you ;  and  af- 
terward, when  we  could  have  trod  you  under  our  feet,  we 
watered  and  protected  you ;  and  now  you  have  growi;i  to 
be  a  mighty  tree,  whose  top  reaches  the  clouds,  and  whose 
branches  overspread  the  whole  land,  whilst  we,  who  were 
the  tall  pine  of  the  forest,  have  become  a  feeble  plant, 
and  need  your  protection. 

•*  When  you  first  came  here,  you  clung  around  our 
knee  and  called  us  father ;  we  took  you  by  the  hand  and 
called  you  brothers.     You  have  grown  greater  than  we,  so 


h 


RED  JACKET. 


181 


■i. 

i 


,  and  such 
'  the  audi- 
)  souls  ap- 
»rator,  that 
a  is  figures 
I  beautiful, 
tguage  was 

at  the  best 
xpress  the 
lly  of  such 
)od  fortune 
J,  when  his 
ace ;  but  I 
ne  the  first 
lage  has  no 
riginal,  but 
erate  inter- 
&    splendid 

irative  Ian- 
:  the  white 

h  wanted  a 
ou ;  and  af- 
our  feet,  we 
e  growpi  to 
I,  and  whose 
e,  who  were 
eeble  plant, 

around  our 

be  hand  and 

than  we,  so 


that  we  can  no  longer  reach  up  to  your  hand ;  but  we 
wish  to  cling  around  your  knee,  and  be  called  your  chil- 
dren." 

Of  the  domestic  character  and  habits  of  the  great  In- 
dian orator,  we  of  course  know  very  little.  It  has  not 
been  the  custom  of  civilized  or  Christian  people  to  relate 
this  portion  of  the  life  of  any  who  became  eminent 
among  them,  and  we  have  no  means  of  learning  much 
concerning  the  home  life  of  Indians 

We  know  that  Bed  Jacket  separated  from  his  first 
wife  after  she  had  become  the  mother  of  several  children, 
and  that  her  infidelity  was  the  alleged  cause.  The  re- 
pugnance which  he  ever  afterwards  manifested  towards 
her,  is  in  accordance  with  his  known  moral  purity  of 
character. 

That  he  had  a  father's  love  for  his  children,  we  may 
see  in  the  following  beautiful  language  which  he  used  in 
answer  to  a  lady,  who  inquired  if  he  had  any  living,  as 
she  knew  that  several  had  been  taken  away. 

Fixing  his  eyes  upon  her  with  a  mournful  expression 
of  countenance,  he  replied : 

"  Bed  Jacket  was  once  a  great  man,  and  in  favor  with 
the  Great  Spirit.  He  was  a  lofty  pine  among  the  smaller 
trees  of  the  forest.  But  after  years  of  glory,  he  degraded 
himself  by  drinking  the  fire-water  of  the  white  man.  The 
Great  Spirit  has  looked  upon  him  in  anger,  and  his  light- 
ning has  stripped  the  pine  of  its  branches." 

Had  he  hated  the  white  men  sufficiently  to  resist  their 
temptations,  he  might  have  been  the  glory  and  the  saviour 
of  his  people.  The  word  which  in  Seneca  is  used  to  ex- 
press strong  drink,  very  truly  and  emphatically  describes 
it  as  the  mind  destroyer.  This  was  its  office,  and  if  the 
noble  mind  of  Bed  Jacket  had  not  been  destroyed  by  its 
agency,  he  would  have  seen  clearly  through  the  dark  plots 


182 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


'•1 


H 


4!< 


of  his  enemies,  and  been  able  to  counter-plot  to  their  de- 
struction,  and  thus  rescued  his  people  from  the  grasp  of 
their  pursuers.  His  fall  is  often  quoted  as  a  proof  of  the 
weak  and  vicious  propensities  of  the  race,  which  it  is  use- 
less to  attempt  to  place  on  a  level  with  the  Anglo-Saxon. 

It  may  be  necessary  to  concede  that  the  Saxon  is 
superior  to  all  others,  inasmuch  as  all  the  others  fall  back 
and  waste  away  before  it.  But  this  superiority  will  not 
entitle  them  to  claim  for  themselves  more  virtues  than 
many  others  can  boast.  I  know  it  is  customary  for  us  to 
pride  ourselves  upon  our  success  as  conquerors  and  de- 
stroyers, but  yet  it  is  lamentable  that  our  national  traits 
are  far  from  being  Christian  ones.  It  is  by  making  use 
of  cruel  and  revolting  means,  that  we  obliterate  the  traces 
of  whole  nations  and  blot  out  kingdoms,  as  water  oblit- 
erates blood.  A  nation  of  Christians,  of  whatever  name, 
could  not  thus  conquer  and  destroy.  If  only  the  warrior 
had  been  cut  o£f,  and  the  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife 
buried,  the  pages  of  Indian  history  would  not  be  so  dark. 
But  they  are  stained  with  something  worse  than  blood. 
They  are  reeking  with  the  slime  of  falsehood,  avarice, 
treachery,  drunkenness,  and  every  species  of  debauchery. 
When  Indians  adopt  civilization,  there  is  no  greater  pro- 
portion of  the  whole  number  who  become  the  slaves  of 
vice,  than  takes  place  among  white  people. 

Bed  Jacket  became  intemperate, — but  how  many  of 
the  members  of  every  Senate  and  House  of  Bepresenta- 
tives,  since  the  formation  of  our  government,  have  be* 
come  the  same  ?  How  many  of  the  brightest  names  on 
our  historic  scroll  would  be  blotted  out,  if  only  the  virtu* 
ous  were  allowed  to  remain  ? 

I  cannot  learn  that  he  was  addicted  to  any  other  de> 
basing  vice. 

As  one  of  the  proofs  that  the  Indian  had  an  intuitiyo 


RED  JACKET. 


188 


their  de- 
grasp  of 
[)f  of  the 
it  is  use- 
0- Saxon. 
Saxon  is 
fall  back 
will  not 
lies  than 
for  us  to 
and  de- 
nal  traits 
iking  use 
he  traces 
iter  oblit- 
7er  name, 
le  warrior 
}ing-knife 
e  so  dark, 
lan  blood. 
1.  avarice, 
bauchery. 
eater  pro- 
slaves  of 

r  many  of 
epresenta- 

have  be- 
names  on 

the  virtu- 

r  other  de- 
1  intuitive 


perception  of  propriety,  may  be  related  an  incident  which 
occurred  whilst  a  gentleman  was  travelling  with  a  party 
of  Indian  Chiefs  and  their  interpreter.  Red  Jacket  was 
one  of  the  party,  but  he  was  uniformly  grave.  The  oth- 
ers were  much  iuQlined  to  merriment,  and  during  an  even- 
ing when  they  were  gathered  around  the  fire  in  a  log 
cabin,  the  mirth  was  so  great  and  the  conversation  so 
jocular,  that  Rea  Jacket  was  afraid  the  stranger,  who 
could  not  understand  their  language,  would  think  himself 
treated  with  impoliteness,  and  infer  that  their  sport  was 
at  his  expense.  He  evidently  enjoyed  their  happiness, 
though  he  took  no  part ;  but  after  awhile  he  spoke  to  Mr. 
Parish,  the  interpreter,  and  requested  him  to  repeat  a 
few  words  to  Mr.  Hospres,  which  were  as  follows : 

"  We  have  been  made  uncomfortable  by  the  storm ; 
we  are  now  warm  and  comfortable ;  it  has  caused  us  to 
feel  cheerful  and  merry ;  but  I  hope  our  friend  who  is 
travelling  with  us,  will  not  be  hurt  at  this  merriment,  or 
suppose  that  we  are  taking  advantage  of  his  ignorance  of 
our  language,  to  make  him  in  any  manner  the  subject  of 
mirth." 

On  being  assured  that  no  such  suspicion  could  be  en- 
tertained of  the  honorable  men  who  were  present,  they 
resumed  their  mirth  and  Red  Jacket  his  gravity. 

When  Lafayette  was  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary 
army,  he  met  Red  Jacket  at  the  treaty  of  peace  at  Fort 
Stanwiz,  in  1787,  where  the  Indian  orator  eloquently  op- 
posed "  burying  the  tomahawk."  When  he  again  visited 
this  country,  in  1825,  they  met  at  Buffalo,  and  General 
Lafayette  remarked,  that  time  had  wrought  great  changes 
upon  both  since  their  first  meeting.  "  But,"  rejoined 
Red  Jacket,  "  he  has  not  been  so  severe  with  you  as  with 
me.  He  has  left  you  a  fresh  countenance,  and  hair  to 
cover  your  head  j-  while  to  me behold ! "  and  taking 


,1" 
•I- 


!    (■ 


ir:.i. 


184 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


Ml     :   P: 


'■■$ 

\''^- 

,    r  V  "0  ■ 

'is, 

■U  ■■ 

$■ 

i; 


If- 


the  covering  from  his  head,  he  disclosed  that  he  was  nearly 
bald.  But  Lafayette  did  not  leave  him  to  think  thus 
harshly  of  time,  but  proved  to  him  that  the  ravages  had 
been  nearly  the  same  upon  both,  by  removing  a  wig  and 
exposing  a  head  almost  as  bald  as  the  Chiefs ;  upon  which 
he  remarked  with  much  pleasantry,  that  a  scalp  from  some 
bystander  would  renew  his  youth  in  the  same  manner ! 

A  young  French  nobleman  visited  BuflFalo  a  few  years 
before  this,  and  having  heard  much  of  the  fame  of  Ked 
Jacket,  sent  him  word  that  he  wished  to  see  him,  inviting 
him  to  come  the  next  day.  Ked  Jacket  received  the 
message,  and  aflfected  great  contempt,  saying,  "  Tell  the 
young  man  if  he  wishes  to  visit  the  old  Chief,  he  will 
find  him  with  his  nation,  where  other  stranger!;  pay  their 
respects  to  him,  and  Red  Jacket  will  be  glad  to  see  him." 
The  Count  sent  back  word  that  he  had  taken  a  long  jour- 
ney and  was  fatigued ;  that  he  had  come  all  the  way  from 
France  to  <)  the  great  orator  of  the  Seneca  nation,  and 
hoped  he  would  not  refuse  to  meet  him  at  Buffalo. 

"  Tell  him,"  said  the  sarcasti'i  Chief,  "  that  having 
come  so  far  to  see  me,  it  is  strange  he  should  stop  within 
seven  miles  of  my  lodge." 

So  the  young  Frenchman  was  obliged  to  seek  him  in 
his  wigwam ;  after  which  he  consented  to  dine  with  the 
Count,  at  Buffalo,  and  was  pronounced  by  him  a  greater 
wonder  than  Niagara  itself. 

On  one  occasion  he  was  visited  by  a  gentleman  who 
talked  incessantly,  and  to  little  purpose,  and  who  would 
go  very  near  the  person  he  was  addressing,  and  chatter 
about  as  intelligibly  as  a  magpie.  Red  Jacket,  receiving 
the  message  that  a  stranger  wished  to  see  him,  dressed 
himself  with  great  care,  and  came  forth  in  all  his  dignity. 
One  glance  was  suflBcient  to  his  keen  eye  to  understand 
the  character  of  his  guest ;  and  listening  a  few  moments 


001 

gei 
th( 
tei 


VANITY   OP   RED   JACKET. 


185 


I  / 


ras  nearly 

link  thus 

ages  had 

I  wig  and 

pon  which 

rom  some 

anner ! 

few  years 

le  of  Bed 

,  inviting 

leived  the 

"Tell  the 

ef,  he  will 

;  pay  their 

see  him." 

long  jour* 

!  way  from 

lation,  and 

alo. 

hat  haying 
itop  within 

iek  him  in 
3  with  the 
1  a  greater 

leman  who 
who  would 
nd  chatter 
i,  receiving 
m,  dressed 
lis  dignity, 
understand 
r  moments 


with  contempt  in  all  his  features,  he  went  close  to  him  and 
exclaimed,  "  Gha !  cha  I  cha !  "  as  fast  as  he  could  speak, 
and  turned  on  his  heel  towards  his  own  cabin  "  sts  straight 
as  an  Indian,"  nor  deigned  to  look  behind  him  while  in 
sight  of  the  house  tenanted  by  the  gentleman,  who  stood 
for  once  speechless ! 

His  vanity  was  very  conspicuous.  He  was  fully  aware 
of  his  importance,  and  disposed  to  make  others  aware  of 
it  on  every  possible  occasion.  Colonel  Pickering  was 
often  employed  by  the  government  to  negotiate  treaties, 
and  would  take  down  the  speeches  on  the  occasion  in 
writing.  At  one  time,  when  Red  Jacket  was  the  orator, 
he  thought  he  would  note  the  words  of  the  interpreter 
whilst  the  Chief  was  himself  speaking.  He  immediately 
paused,  and  on  being  requested  to  proceed  said,  "  No,  not 
whilst  you  hold  down  your  head." 

"  Why  can  you  not  speak  whilst  I  write  ?  " 

"  Because,  if  you  look  me  in  the  eye,  you  will  know 
whether  1  tell  you  the  truth." 

At  another  time,  he  turned  his  head  to  speak  to  a 
third  person,  when  Red  Jacket  very  haughtily  rebuked 
him,  saying,  "When  a  Seneca  speaks,  he  ought  to  be 
listened  to  with  attention,  from  one  end  of  this  great 
island  to  the  other." 

When  he  returned  from  Philadelphia,  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  using  his  oratorical  powers  to  embellish  the  man- 
ner of  his  reception,  and  would  collect  around  him  the 
Chiefs  and  people  of  his  nation,  and,  dressed  in  his  uni- 
form, with  the  cocked  hat  under  his  arm,  would  personify 
the  President,  and  bow  to  all  present  as  if  they  were  the 
company  in  the  great  saloon,  imitating  the  manners  and 
gestures  of  the  original  with  true  grace  and  dignity,  and 
then  entertain  his  audience  with  the  complimentB  and  at- 
tentions which  had  been  bestowed  upon  him. 


186 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


f  ^a 


)'i 


•When  invited  to  dine,  or  be  present  on  any  occasion 
of  social  festivity  among  white  people,  he  conformed  with 
wonderful  tact  to  the  customs  to  which  he  was  a  stranger 
— never  manifesting  any  surprise  or  asking  any  questions, 
till  he  could  consult  some  friend  whose  ridicule  he  did 
not  fear.  It  was  after  returning  from  Philadelphia,  where 
he  had  dined  with  General  Washington,  that  he  asked  the 
following  explanation. 

He  said  a  man  stood  behind  his  chair,  and  would, 
every  now  and  then,  run  off  with  his  plate  and  knife  and 
fork,  and  immediately  return  with  others.  "  Now,"  said 
Bed  Jacket, ''  what  was  this  for  ?  "  He  was  told  that 
there  was  a  variety  of  dishes  on  the  President's  table,  and 
each  was  cooked  in  a  different  way,  and  for  every  new 
dish  the  guests  were  helped  to  a  new  plate.  "  Oh,"  said 
he,  musing  a  moment,  "  is  that  it  ?  You  must  then  sup- 
pose that  the  plates  and  knives  and  forks  retain  the  taste 
of  the  cookery  ?  "  On  hearing  the  afirmative,  he  said, 
"  But  I  should  suppose  the  taste  would  remain  on  the 
palate  longer  than  on  the  plate."  That,  he  was  told,  they 
were  in  the  habit  of  washing  away  with  wine.  "  Oh," 
said  he,  '^  I  now  understand  it.  I  thought,  for  so  general 
a  custom,  you  must  have  some  good  reason,  and  now  re- 
gret that  I  did  not  know  it  when  I  was  in  Philadelphia ; 
for  the  moment  the  man  ran  off  with  my  plate,  I  would 
have  drank  wine  till  he  returned  with  the  other — for 
though  I  am  fond  of  eating,  I  am  more  fond  of  drinking." 

We  are  accustomed  to  think  the  blanket  of  the  Indian 
a  sign  of  barbarity,  and  any  thing  but  dignified  and 
graceful.  Yet  the  toga  of  the  Boman  orator  was  never 
folded  about  his  noble  figure  Tith  more  grace  or  dignity, 
than  the  homely  mantle  of  the  Seneca  Chief,  when  he 
arose  to  address  ati  Indian  audience.  The  adjustment  of 
his  dress  was  always  the  signal  by  which  it  was  known 


ay  occasion 
brmed  with 
}  a  stranger 
J  questions, 
mle  he  did 
phia,  where 
e  asked  the 

and  would, 
1  knife  and 
Now,"  said 
s  told  that 
s  table,  and 

every  new 
"  Oh,"  said 
it  then  sup- 
in  the  taste 
ve,  he  said, 
ain  on  the 
IS  told,  they 
ae.  "  Oh," 
r  so  general 
and  now  re- 
liladelphia ; 
ite,  I  would 

other — for 
f  drinking." 
fthe  Indian 
ignified  and 
r  was  never 
J  or  dignity, 
ef,  when  he 
justment  of 
was  known 


RED   JACKET. 


187 


/   ' 


that  he  was  about  to  rise.  A  gentleman  who  knew  him 
intimately  for  half  a  century,  says  he  was  the  most  grace- 
ful public  speaker  he  ever  heard.  His  stature  was  above 
the  middle  size ;  his  eyes  fine,  and  expressive  of  the  in- 
tellect which  gave  them  fire ;  he  was  fluent,  without  being 
too  rapid ;  and  dignified  and  stately,  without  rigidity. 
When  he  arose,  he  would  turn  towards  the  Indians,  and 
ask  their  attention  to  what  he  was  about  to  say  in  behalf 
of  the  commissioner  of  the  United  States.  He  would 
then  turn  towards  the  commissioner,  and  with  a  slight 
but  dignified  inclination  of  the  head,  proceed.  Decorum 
was  at  all  times  the  characteristic  of  an  Indian  council. 
If  the  orator  omitted  what  was  considered  by  any  one 
present  important  to  be  dwelt  upon,  he  would  place  him- 
self very  near  the  speaker,  and  in  a  quiet  and  most  deli- 
cate manner  whisper  his  suggestion.  As  they  had  no 
written  documents,  their  memories  were  the  tablets  on 
which  were  engraven  all  important  events,  and  these  were 
often  more  faithful  than  the  scrolls  of  the  learned. 

In  a  council  which  was  held  with  the  Senecas  by 
General  Tompkins,  of  New  York,  a  discussion  arose  con- 
cerning some  point  in  a  treaty  made  several  years  before. 
The  agent  stated  one  thing,  and  the  Indian  Chief  another, 
insisting  that  he  was  correct.  He  was  answered  that  it 
was  written  on  paper,  and  must  be  so. 

"  The  paper  then  tells  a  lie,"  said  the  orator,  "  for  I 
have  it  written  here  (placing  his  hand  upon  his  brow). 
You  Yankees  are  born  with  a  feather  between  your  fin- 
gers, but  your  paper  does  not  speak  the  truth.  The 
Indian  keeps  his  knowledge  here ;  this  is  the  book  the 
Great  Spirit  has  given  him,  and  it  does  not  lie." 

On  consulting  the  documents  more  particularly,  it  was 
found  that  the  Indian  record  was,  indeed,  the  most  oor- 
reotl 


>      i-s 


186 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


Although  fond  of  good  things,  Red  Jacket  had  a 
great  contempt  for  the  sensualist.  When  speaking  of  an 
Indian,  whose  name  w&a  Hot  bread,  and  who  was  known 
to  be  indolent  and  gluttonous,  he  exclaimed,  "  Waugh  ! 
big  man  here  (laying  his  hand  upon  his  abdomen),  but 
very  small  man  here,"  bringing  the  palm  of  his  hand  with 
significant  emphasis  across  his  forehead. 

That  he  shrank  from  spectacles  of  human  suffering, 
may  have  been  the  reason  of  his  aversion  to  the  war-path. 
He  did  not  like  to  look  on  blood. 

At  one  time,  when  three  young  men  were  to  suffer 
death  by  hanging,  and  multitudes  were  rushing  towards 
the  spot,  he  was  met  hurrying  in  an  opposite  direction. 
When  asked  why  he  did  not  go  to  witness  the  execution, 
he  answered,  "  Fools  enough  there  already ;  the  battle- 
field is  the  place  to  see  men  die."  One  would  certainly 
think,  to  witness  the  throngs  which  crowd  around  the  gal- 
lows, that  neither  Christian  nor  human  feeling  filled  the 
breasts  of  civilized  beings. 

The  efforts  were  for  a  long  time  fruitless  to  induce 
Red  Jacket  to  sit  for  his  portrait.  ''When  Red  Jacket 
dies,"  he  would  say,  "  all  that  belongs  to  him  shall  die 
too."  But  at  length,  an  appeal  to  his  vanity  availed ^ 
and  on  being  assured  that  his  picture  was  wanted  to  hang 
with  those  of  Washington  and  Jefferson,  and  other  great 
men  in  the  National  Galleries,  he  consented ;  and  having 
once  broken  his  resolution,  no  longer  resisted,  and  was 
painted  by  several  artists.  The  one  by  Weir  is  consid- 
ercd  beat,  and  was  taken  during  a  visit  of  the  Chief  to 
New  York,  in  1828,  at  the  request  of  Dr.  Francis.  He 
dressed  himself  with  great  care  in  the  costume  he  thought 
the  most  becoming  and  appropriate,  decorated  with  his 
brilliant  war-dress,  his  tomahawk,  and  Washington 
medal.     He  then  seated  himself  in  a  large  arm-chair 


RED   JACKET. 


189 


et  had  a 
ing  of  an 
as  known 
Waugh ! 
men),  but 
land  with 

suffering, 
war-path. 

}  to  suffer 
g  towards 
direction, 
execution, 
the  battle- 
certainly 
nd  the  gal- 
r  filled  the 

to  induce 
tied  Jacket 
1  shall  die 
by  availed  f 
bed  to  hang 
other  great 
md  having 
d,  and  was 
r  is  consid* 
le  Chief  to 
aiicis.  He 
he  thought 
id  with  his 
Washington 

arm-chair 


while  around  him  groups  of  Indians  were  reclinlDg  upon 
the  floor.  He  was  more  than  seventy  years  of  age  at  the 
time,  but  tall,  erect  and  firm,  though  with  many  of  the 
traces  of  time  and  dissipation  upon  his  form  and  counte- 
nance. He  manifested  great  pleasure  as  the  outlines  of 
the  picture  were  filled  up,  and  especially  when  his  favorite 
medal  came  out  in  full  relief;  and  when  the  picture  was 
finished,  started  to  his  feet  and  clasped  the  hand  of  the 
artist,  exclaiming,  "  Good !  good  ! " 

One  who  knew  him  remarks,  "  That  his  characteristics 
are  preserved  to  admiration,  and  his  majestic  front  ex- 
hibits an  altitude  surpassing  every  other  I  have  ever  seen 
of  the  human  skull." 

His  early  youth  was  spent  in  the  beautiful  valley  of 
the  Genesee ;  there  were  his  favorite  hunting-grounds, 
and  there  his  memory  loved  to  linger.  During  the  strife 
of  wars,  and  the  more  bitter  strife  of  treaties,  be  had  in- 
dulged very  little  in  his  favorite  pastime ;  and  when  a 
day  of  comparative  quiet  came,  be,  in  company  with  a 
friend,  took  bis  gun  and  went  forth,  in  hopes  to  find  a 
deer  for  the  sport  of  his  rifle.  They  had  gone  but  a  little 
distance,  when  a  clearing  opened  before  them.  With  a 
contemptuous  sneer,  the  old  man  turned  aside  and  wan- 
dered in  another  direction.  In  a  little  while  he  came  to 
another,  and  looking  over  a  fence,  he  saw  a  white  man 
holding  a  plough,  which  was  turning  up  the  earth  in  dark 
furrows  over  a  large  field.  Again  he  turned  sadly  away, 
and  plunged  deeper  in  the  forest,  but  soon  another  open 
field  presented  itself;  and  though  he  had  been  all  his  life 
oppressed  with  the  woes  of  his  people,  he  now  for  the 
first  time  sat  down  and  wept.  There  was  no  longer  any 
hope, — they  had  wasted  away. 

Red  Jacket  was  decidedly  aristocratic,  and  disposed 
to  stand  upon  his  dignity.     No  person  who  knew  him 


i 


..  ,1. 


I''    f 


'll 


190 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


would  venture  upon  familiarity  with  him,  and  he  did  not 
like  to  have  his  children  mingle  freely  with  all  whom  they 
might  meet  in  the  streets.  But  he  never  considered  the 
manners  and  habits  of  living  among  white  people  as 
worthy  of  imitation ;  and  after  chairs  and  tables  were  in- 
troduced by  his  wife  into  his  own  dwelling,  he  scorned  to 
use  them,  and  took  his  meals,  as  in  the  olden  time,  sitting 
on  the  floor,  or  a  rude  bench,  cushioned  with  deer-skin. 
Yet  he  would  not  eat  alone.  Though  he  talked  very 
little,  he  liked  to  be  surrounded  by  hih  family.  His 
second  wife  was  his  lavorite,  and  he  treated  her  with  the 
most  affectionate  kindness,  except  in  leaving  free  her  reli- 
gion ;  and  then  he  scarcely  reproached  her — only  saying 
that  in  embracing  it,  she  was  countenancing  the  wrongs 
committed  upon  her  people,  which  he  could  not,  and  if 
she  persisted  he  should  leave  her;  and  knowing  her 
affection  for  him,  he  probably  thought  she  would  not  hesi- 
tate between  her  husband  and  Christianity.  When  he 
found  she  would  not  renounce  her  new  faith,  he  departed 
and  lived  several  months  at  Tonnewanda.  His  enmity 
was  evidently  entirely  political.  He  understood  nothing 
of  the  real  nature  of  Christianity,  and  was  not  willing  to 
learn  any  thing  concerning  it  from  those  who  had  been 
guilty  of  the  grievous  wrongs  the  red  man  hcd  suffered, 
whenever  those  calling  themselves  Christians  had  come 
among  them. 

But  he  was  not  happy  separated  from  those  he  loved, 
and  those  he  left  were  not  happy  without  him.  He 
missed  the  caresses  of  the  children,  and  especially  the 
youngest  daughter,  of  whom  he  was  very  fond.  She  used 
to  sit  upon  his  knee,  with  her  little  arms  around  his  neck 
and  her  soft  cheek  resting  upon  his,  and  play  with  his 
silver  locks.     When  he  was  gone  she  mourned  for  him, 


RED  JACKET. 


191 


•t: 
.< 

I 


he  did  not 
vrhom  they 
idered  the 
people   as 
es  were  in- 
scorned  to 
me,  sitting 
deerskin, 
.alked  very 
mily.     His 
er  with  the 
ee  her  reli- 
only  saying 
the  wrongs 
not,  and  if 
ttowing  her 
lid  not  hesi- 
When  he 
he  departed 
His  enmity 
ood  nothing 
»t  willing  to 
10  had  been 
icd  suffered, 
3  had  come 

)se  he  loved, 
,t  him.  He 
ipecially  the 
[.  She  used 
und  his  neck 
play  with  his 
ned  for  him, 


and  gave  her  mother  no  rest  till  she  promised  to  take  her 
to  where  her  father  lived. 

They  went  together;  hut  the  mother,  with  true 
womanly  delicacy,  entered  not  his  dwelling,  and  refused 
to  see  him.  She  was  willing  to  gratify  her  children,  and 
cultivated  their  affection  and  respect  for  him  who  had  de- 
serted her,  but  she  would  not  seek  him. 

The  little  girl,  who  is  now  a  Christian  woman,  and  her- 
self told  me  the  story,  threw  her  arms  around  her  father's 
neck,  and  kissed  him ;  and  he  pressed  her  to  his  bosom, 
weeping  tears  of  joy,  and  perhaps  of  true  sorrow  and 
repentance,  and  told  her  he  was  coming  home ;  that  he 
was  sorry  he  had  left  her  mother,  and  did  not  think  her 
religion  had  done  her  any  harm.  He  said  he  had  bought 
her  some  broadcloth  and  beads,  and  would  bring  them 
when  he  came.  When  she  left  him  he  went  with  her  to 
the  door  of  the  house  where  her  mother  lodged,  but  did 
not  enter,  and  with  many  sobs  and  tears  she  bade  him 
good-bye,  and  returned  home. 

In  a  little  while  he  followed.  He  came  into  the 
house  and  humbly  addressed  his  wife,  saying  he  had  come 
back  again  to  live  with  her,  if  she  would  receive  him ; 
that  he  had  done  wrong,  and  was  very  sorry,  and  had 
been  very  unhappy.  The  injured  wife  did  not  answer  a 
word,  but  threw  her  shawl  around  her,  and  went  to  the 
missionary  to  ask  him  if  it  would  be  right  to  receive  him 
now,  and  what  she  should  do.  The  missionary  told  her 
it  was  best  to  welcome  him  kindly,  and  encourage  him  to 
stay,  if  he  made  no  opposition  to  her  new  mode  of  wor- 
ship. 

On  hastening  back,  she,  in  a  dignified  manner,  ex- 
pressed her  joy  at  seeing  him,  and  her  unchanged  regard ; 
but  said  she  could  not  consent  to  his  remaining,  unless  he 
would  permit  her  to  go  to  the  Mission  Church  on  Sunday, 


192 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


I'  fill 


ii      !i 


and  in  no  way  iuterfere  with  her  religious  dat>iei<«.  To 
this  he  assented,  saying  he  knew  she  was  a  better  voman 
than  before  she  became  a  Christian,  and  he  would  never 
again  molest  her. 

The  children  were  rejoiced  at  the  reconciliation,  and 
all  were  again  happy.  He  never  violated  his  promise ; 
and  though  he  could  not  join  the  family  in  their  mode 
of  worship,  not  a  word  of  disapprobation,  or  a  look  of 
contempt,  reminded  them  that  he  liked  it  not.  "^  '  .  t  -^^ 
,.,  And  often  on  Sabbath  morning,  the  old  Chief  would 
rise  early  and  awake  the  daughters,  saying,  "  Come,  it  is 
Sunday,  you  know ;  get  up  and  have  the  work  all  done,  so 
as  to  go  to  meeting  with  your  mother ;  always  go  with 
your  mother."  Before  he  left  her,  his  wife  was  obliged 
to  steal  away  when  he  did  not  know  it.  She  would  have 
her  house  in  order,  and  her  blanket  ready  somewhere  out- 
side the  dwelling,  and  when  the  bell  rang,  would  go  qui- 
etly out,  take  her  blanket,  and  run.  But  now,  when  the 
bell  rang  for  Sabbath,  or  evening  meeting,  he  said, 
"  Go ; "  and  though  he  disliked  to  be  left  alone,  he  mur- 
mured not,  and  made  himself  as  comfortable  as  he  could 
till  she  returned.  He  had  a  great  respect  for  her,  and 
knew  she  was  worthy  of  his  confidence.  ■'^'  *^  "'■"*  *  "**' 
,!»>'  Though  so  eloquent  in  the  council-chamber.  Bed 
Jacket  seldom  opened  his  lips  in  the  wigwam.  Among 
his  own  people  he  was  not  social,  and  never  entered  into 
familiar  conversation  upon  ordinary  topics.  He  was  al- 
ways ready  to  discuss  the  affairs  of  the  nation  with  Chiefs 
or  distinguished  strangers,  but  was  not  given  to  story- 
telling, and  seldom  entered  the  houses  of  his  neighbors. 
All  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  he  was  sad  on  account  of 
the  woes  the  Indian  had  experienced,  and  the  woes  he 
predicted  were  still  in  store  for  them.  He  would  lie  upon 
his  couch  for  honrSi  wi.a  his  hands  crossed  upon  his 


RED   JACKET. 


193 


ties.  To 
ex  ivoman 
luld  never 

ation,  and 
1  promise; 
heir  mode 
a  look  of 

hief  would 
Come,  it  is 
all  done,  so 
ys  go  with 
ras  obliged 
would  have 
Bwhere  out- 
uld  go  qui- 
r,  when  the 
Tj  he   said, 
ne,  he  raur- 
as  he  could 
for  her,  and 

imber,  Bed 
m.  Among 
sntered  into 
He  was  al- 
with  Chiefs 
en  to  story- 
is  neighbors. 
1  account  of 
the  woes  he 
)uld  lie  upon 
ed  upon  his 


breast,  and  seem  in  deep  distraction,  and  wish  no  inter- 
ruption. 

When  he  had  been  drinking,  he  was  sometimes  merry 
and  talked  very  oilly ;  but  gravity  was  his  prevailing 
mood, — though  this  is  not  the  prevailing  mood  of  Indians 
generally,  as  some  people  imagine. 

When  he  meditated  a  speech,  he  would  often  repeat  it 
to  himself,  and  sometimes  rehearse  it  to  the  interpreter, 
in  order  to  be  sure  it  would  sound  well.    -But  his  inca- 
pacity for  business,  and  his  degeneracy  in  consequence  of 
his  intoxication,  procured  for  him  the  general  dislike  of 
his  people.     Many  were  beginning  to  see  that  the  mis- 
sionaries were  their  real  friends,  and  to  understand  the 
distinction  between  reality  and  pretension,  and  wished 
Christianity  to  be  encouraged.     Bed  Jacket  was  constant- 
ly disturbing  the  councils  by  his  bitter  opposition  and 
sarcasms,  and  was  so  unrelenting,  that  there  seemed  no 
hope  of  changing  his  opinions ;  and  it  finally  began  to  be 
whispered,  and  then  boldly  proposed,  that  he  should  no 
longer  be  numbered  among  the  Chiefs  of  the  nation.     A 
council  was  called,  and  formal  resolutions  drawn  up,  de- 
claring the  reasons  why  he  was  not  fit  for  his  office,  and 
signed  by  twenty-six  Chiefs.     When  it  became  known  to 
him,  he  was  greatly  grieved,  and  resolved  not  to  submit 
to  such  an  indignity.     Arousing  hib  slumbering  energies, 
he  made  a  journey  to  Washington,  to  talk  with  the  Presi- 
dent.    He  called   on  Colonel  McKenney,  who  was   in 
charge  of  the  Bureau  of  Indian  Afiairs ;  and  as  he  had 
been  informed  by  agents  of  all  that  had  transpired  among 
the  Senecas,  he  recapitulated  the  state  of  afiairs,  and  ad- 
vised the  Chief  to  return,  and  endeavor  better  to  under- 
stand the  nature  of  the  missionary  work  ;  and,  at  least,  to 
allow  those  who  differed  from  him  in  opinion,  the  same 
liberty  he  demanded  for  himself — those  who  preferred  to 


194 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


n    ;i 


ll,     ' 


f1 


be  Pagans,  oould  remain  so ;  and  those  viho  wished  to 
change,  should  have  the  privilege. 

The  old  man  listened  with  the  deepest  attention  till 
the  speaker  had  finished,  and  then  said,  pointing  to  him 
and  then  in  the  direction  of  his  people  :  ''  Our  father  has 
got  a  long  ej'e."  He  endeavored  to  justify  himself,  and 
poured  forth  volumes  of  epithets  upon  the  "  black-coats," 
whose  professions  of  disinterestedness  he  could  not  un- 
derstand. But  on  returning  home,  he  became  more  quiet, 
and  seemed  convinced  of  the  policy,  if  not  of  the  justice, 
of  the  advice  he  had  received,  and  commenced  in  earnest 
to  retrieve  his  position.  "  It  shall  not  be  said  of  me," 
thought  he,  as  the  fire  of  his  youth  again  kindled  bis  eye — 
"  It  shall  not  be  said  that  Sa-go-ye-wat-ha  lived  in  insig- 
nificance, and  died  in  dishonor.  Am  I  too  feeble  to 
revenge  myself  of  my  enemies?  Am  I  not  as  I  have 
been?" 

Another  council  was  called,  on  which  occasion  his 
sense  of  wrong  and  humiliation  inspired  him  with  some- 
thing of  his  former  pathos  and  earnestness,  and  he  said : 

"  Brothers  : — You  have  been  correctly  informed  of 
an  attempt  to  make  me  sit  down,  and  throw  off  the  au- 
thority of  a  Chief,  by  twenty-six  misguided  Chiefs  of  my 
nation.  You  have  heard  the  statements  of  my  associates 
in  council,  and  their  explanations  of  the  charges  brought 
against  me.  I  have  taken  the  legal  and  proper  way  to 
meet  those  charges.  It  is  the  only  way  in  which  I  could 
notice  them.  They  are  charges  which  I  despise,  and 
which  nothing  could  induce  me  to  notice,  but  the  concern 
many  of  the  respected  Chiefs  of  my  nation  feel  concern- 
ing their  aged  comrade.  Were  it  otherwise,  I  should  not 
appear  before  you ;  I  would  fold  my  arms,  and  sit  quietly 
under  these  ridiculous  slanders.  The  Christian  party 
have  not  even  proceeded  legally,  aooording  to  our  usages, 


a 
she 


RED   JACKET. 


195 


wislied  to 

tentlon  till 
ting  to  him 

father  has 
imself,  and 
lack-ooats," 
lid  not  un- 
more  quiet, 

the  justice, 
1  in  earnest 
jaid  of  me," 
3d  his  eye — 
red  in  iusig- 
>o  feeble  to 
t  as  I  have 

occasion  his 
1  with  some- 
Lud  he  said : 
informed  of 
jf  off  the  au- 
Ihiefs  of  my 
ay  associates 
rges  brought 
roper  way  to 
rhich  I  could 
despise,  and 
t  the  concern 
feel  concern- 
I  should  not 
id  sit  quietly 
ristian  party 
0  our  uiagcs, 


to  put  me  down.  Ah  !  it  grieves  my  heart  when  I  look 
around  and  see  the  situation  of  my  people — in  old  times, 
united  and  powerful — now,  divided  and  feeble.  I  feel 
sorry  for  my  nation.  When  I  am  gone  to  the  other 
world — when  the  Great  Spirit  calls  me  away — who  among 
my  people  can  take  my  place  ?  Many  years  have  I  guided 
the  nation." 

He  was  restored  to  his  former  rank,  but  the  excitement 
of  the  occasion  being  over,  he  sank  into  a  state  of  almost 
imbecility  and  stupor,  and  was  never  again  the  Sa-go-ye- 
wat-ha  of  old,  nor  ever  again  exhibited  the  fire  and  energy 
of  former  days. 

He  was  taken  suddenly  ill  in  the  Council  House,  of 
cholera  morbus,  where  he  had  gone  that  day  dressed  with 
more  than  ordinary  care,  with  all  his  gay  apparel  and  or- 
naments. When  he  returned  he  said  to  his  wife,  "  I  am 
sick ;  I  could  not  stay  till  the  council  had  finished.  I 
shall  never  recover."  He  then  took  off  all  his  rich  cos- 
tume and  iaid  it  carefully  away ;  reclined  himself  upon  his 
couch,  and  did  not  rise  again  till  morning,  or  speak  except 
to  answer  some  slight  question.  His  wife  prepared  him 
medicine  which  he  patiently  took,  but  said,  "  It  will  do  no 
good.  I  shall  die."  The  next  day  he  called  her  to  him, 
and  requested  her  and  the  little  girl  he  loved  so  much  to 
sit  beside  him,  and  listen  to  his  parting  words. 

"  I  am  going  to  die,"  he  said.  "  I  shall  never  leave 
the  house  again  alive.  I  wish  to  thank  you  for  your  kind- 
ness to  me.  You  have  loved  me.  You  have  always  pre- 
pared my  food,  and  taken  care  of  my  clothes,  and  been  pa- 
tient with  me.  I  am  sorry  I  ever  treated  you  unkindly. 
I  am  sorry  I  left  you,  because  of  your  new  religion,  and 
am  convinced  that  it  is  a  good  religion  and  has  made  you 
a  better  woman,  and  wish  you  to  persevere  in  it.  I 
should  like  to  have  lived  a  little  longer  for  your  sake.     I 


196 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


ii  if?  ^ 


M 


w 


I  {I 


meant  to  build  you  a  new  house  and  make  you  more  com- 
fortable, but  it  is  now  too  late.  But  I  hope  my  daughter 
will  remember  what  I  have  so  often  told  her — not  to  go 
in  the  streets  with  strangers,  or  associate  wiui  improper 
persons.  She  must  stay  with  her  mother,  and  grow  up  a 
respectable  woman. 

"  When  I  am  dead,  it  will  be  noised  abroad  through  all 
the  world — they  will  hear  of  it  across  the  great  waters, 
and  say,  '  Bed  Jacket,  the  great  orator,  is  dead.'  And 
white  men  will  come  and  ask  you  for  my  body.  They 
will  wish  to  bury  me.  But  do  not  let  tiicm  take  me. 
Clothe  me  in  my  simplest  dress — put  on  my  icg^ins  and 
my  moccasins,  and  hang  the  cross  which  I  have  worn  so 
long,  around  my  neck,  and  let  it  lie  upon  my  bosom. 
Then  bury  me  among  my  people.  Neither  do  I  wish  to 
be  buried  with  Pagan  rites.  I  wish  the  ceremonies  to  be 
as  you  like,  according  to  the  customs  of  your  new  religion 
if  you  choose.  Your  minister  says  the  dead  will  rise. 
Perhaps  they  will.  If  they  do,  I  wish  to  rise  with  my  old 
comrades.  I  do  not  wish  to  rise  among  pale- faces.  I 
wish  to  be  surrounded  by  red  men.  Do  not  make  a  feast 
according  to  the  customs  of  the  Indians.  Whenever  my 
friends  chose,  they  could  come  and  feast  with  me  when  I 
was  well,  and  I  do  not  wish  those  who  have  never  eaten 
with  me  in  my  cabin,  to  surfeit  at  my  funeral  feast." 

When  he  had  finished,  he  laid  himself  again  upon  the 
couch  and  did  not  rise  again.  He  lived  several  days,  but 
was  most  of  the  time  in  a  stupor  or  else  delirious.  He 
often  asked  for  Mr.  Harris,  the  missionary,  and  afterwards 
would  unconsciously  mutter — "  I  do  not  hate  him — he 
thinks  I  hate  him,  but  I  do  not.  I  would  not  hurt  him." 
The  mission; '7  Tas  ttiit  for  repeatedly,  but  did  not  return 
till  he  was  dead.  When  the  messenger  told  him  Mr. 
Harris  had  not  come,  he  replied,  "  Very  well.    The  Great 


It 
ai 
ai 


:'i;:' 


LAST   HOURS  OF   RED   JACKET. 


197 


acre  corn- 
daughter 

not  to  go 
improper 

;row  up  a 

;hrough  all 
at  waters, 
lad.'  And 
dy.  They 
1  lake  me. 
cg^^iDS  and 
je  worn  so 
Day  bosom. 

I  wish  to 
onies  to  be 
lew  religion 
d  will  rise, 
with  my  old 
lIo- faces.  I 
lake  a  feast 
henever  my 

me  when  I 
never  eaten 
feast." 
ain  upon  the 
ral  days,  but 
lirious.     He 
id  afterwards 
ate  him — he 
t  hurt  him." 
id  not  return 
aid  him  Mr. 
.    The  Great 


Spirit  will  order  it  as  he  sees  best,  whether  I  have  an  op- 
portunity to  speak  with  him."  Again  he  would  murmur, 
"  He  accused  me  of  being  a  snake,  and  trying  to  bite  some- 
body This  was  very  true,  and  I  wish  to  repent  and  make 
satisfaction." 

Wlicther  it  was  Mr.  Harris  that  he  referred  to  all  the 
time  he  was  talking  in  this  way  could  not  be  ascertained, 
as  he  did  not  seem  to  comprehend  if  any  direct  question 
was  put  to  him,  but  from  his  remarks,  and  his  known  en- 
mity to  him.  this  was  the  natural  supposition.  Sometimes 
he  would  think  he  saw  some  of  his  old  companions  around 
him,  and  exclaim,  *'  There  is  Farmer's  Brother ;  why  does 
he  trouble  me — ^why  does  he  stand  there  looking  at  me  ?" 
then  he  would  again  sink  into  a  stupor. 

The  cross  which  he  wore  was  a  very  rich  one  of  stones 
set  in  gold,  and  very  large ;  it  was  given  to  him,  but  by 
whom  his  friends  never  knew.  This  was  all  the  ornament 
which  he  requested  should  be  buried  with  him.  It  was  a 
universal  custom  among  the  Indians  to  make  funeral 
feasts.  No  family  was  so  poor  that  they  did  not  endeavor 
to  honor  the  dead  in  this  manner.  If  a  cow  was  all  they 
possessed,  it  was  slaughtered  on  this  occasion.  Bed 
Jacket  commanded  that  there  should  be  nothing  of  the 
kind  for  him.  A  pagan  funeral  for  a  distinguished  per- 
son is  a  very  pompous  a  Tair.  It  continues  for  ten  days, 
and  every  night  a  fire  is  kindled  at  the  grave,  and  around 
it  the  mourners  gather  and  utter  piteous  wails.  It  is 
foolish  and  heathenish,  too,  but  scarcely  more  so  than  the 
custom  among  the  ultra  refined  of  spending  a  little  fortune 
upon  a  peculiar  dress,  to  be  worn  so  many  days  or  years 
— and  it  is  not  very  long  since  Christian  people  thought 
it  a  testimony  of  their  regard  for  the  dead,  or  a  necessary 
and  solemn  warning  to  the  living,  to  place  deatk^s  heads 
around  the  grave  yard.     It  is  all  a  relic  of  barbarism. 


198 


THE     IROQUOIS. 


m 


^1 


It  certainly  was  a  great  step  in  the  march  of  progress, 
that  Bed  Jacket  should  abjure  these  pagan  rites.  After 
a  life  of  sworn  enmity  to  Christianity,  that  the  example, 
the  quiet  unobtrusive  example  of  a  Christian  woman  in 
her  household,  should  so  influence  him  concerning  Chris- 
tianity, that  he  requested  a  Christian  burial,  and  volun- 
tarily and  formally  expressed  to  her  his  approbation  of 
her  religion,  and  his  desire  that  she  and  her  children 
should  embrace  it  and  live  in  accordance  with  its  require- 
ments. If  he  had  come  in  contact  with  none  but  truly 
Christian  men,  he  might  in  early  life  have  been,  not  only 
a  nominal,  but  an  experimental  Christian,  and  all  his 
noble  gifts  consecrated  to  the  elevation  and  redemption 
of  his  people. 

The  wife  and  daughter  were  the  only  ones  to  whom 
he  spoke  parting  words  or  gave  a  parting  blessing ;  but  as 
his  last  hour  drew  nigh,  his  family  all  gathered  around 
him.  and  mournful  it  was  to  think  that  the  children  were 
not  his  own — his  were  all  sleeping  in  the  little  church- 
yard where  he  was  soon  to  be  laid — they  were  his  step- 
children— the  children  of  his  favorite  wife.  It  has  been 
somewhere  stated  that  his  first  wife  died  before  him,  but 
it  is  a  mistake.  She  was  living  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  never  went  to  see  her  but  once  after  he  left  her,  and 
that  was  about  six  months  after  their  separation.  He 
always  asserted  that  he  did  not  condemn  her  upon  sus- 
picion, that  he  was  satisfied  of  her  guilt  before  he  deserted 
her.  But  he  went  once  again  to  see  her,  thinking  he 
might  be  able  to  forgive  her,  and  receive  her  again  as  his 
companion  for  his  children's  sake,  but  found  it  impossible. 
He  revolted  from  the  thought  of  again  calling  her  wife, 
and  turned  away  never  to  see  her  more. 

So  there  were  none  around  his  dying  bed  but  step- 
children.    These  he  had  always  loved  and  cherished,  and 


of  progress, 
ites.  After 
he  example, 
in  woman  in 
rning  Chris- 

and  voluu- 
irobation  of 
ler  children 
I  its  require- 
ne  but  truly 
sen,  not  only 
and  all  his 

redemption 


nes  to  whom 
ing;  but  as 
ered  around 
ihildren  were 
ittle  church- 
ere  his  step- 
It  has  been 
fore  him,  but 
of  his  death, 
left  her,  and 
Etration.  He 
er  upon  sus- 
0  he  deserted 
thinking  he 
'  again  as  his 
it  impossible, 
ling  her  wife, 

icd  but  step- 
berished,  and 


DEATH   OF   RED  JACKET. 


199 


they  loved  and  honored  him,  for  this  their  mother  had 
taught  them.  The  wife  sat  by  his  pillow  and  rested  her 
hand  upon  his  head.  At  his  feet  stood  the  two  sons,  who 
are  now  aged  and  Christian  men,  and  by  his  side  the  little 
girl,  whose  little  hand  rested  upon  his  withered  and  trem- 
bling palm.  His  last  words  were  still,  "  Where  is  the 
missionary  ?  "  and  then  he  clasped  the  child  to  his  bosom, 
while  she  sobbed  in  anguish — her  ears  caught  his  hurried 
breathing — his  arms  relaxed  their  hold — she  looked  up, 
and  he  was  gone.  There  was  mourning  in  the  household, 
and  there  was  mourning  among  the  people.  The  orator, 
the  great  man  of  whom  they  were  still  proud,  while  they 
lamented  his  degeneracy,  was  gone.  He  had  been  a  true 
though  mistaken  friend,  and  who  would  take  his  place ! 

He  had  requested  that  a  vial  of  cold  water  might  be 
placed  in  his  hand,  when  he  was  prepared  for  the  burial, 
but  the  reason  of  the  request  no  one  could  divine.  It  was 
complied  with,  however,  and  all  his  wishes  strictly  heeded. 
The  funeral  took  place  in  the  little  mission  church,  with 
appropriate  but  the  most  shuple  ceremonies ;  and  he  was 
buried  in  the  little  mission  buryingground,  at  the  gateway 
of  what  was  once  an  old  fort,  around  him  his  own  peo- 
ple— aged  men,  sachems,  chiefs  and  warriors,  and  little 
children. 

A  simple  stone  was  e/ected  to  mark  his  grave,  and  the 
spot  became  a  resort  for  the  traveller  from  far  and  near. 
Soon  it  began  to  be  desecrated,  and  his  name  disappeared 
from  the  marble,  defaced  by  those  who  wished  to  carry* 
away  some  memento  of  having  visited  the  chieftain's  tomb. 
Some  among  those  who  knew  and  honored  him,  wished  to 
remove  his  remains  to  the  new  cemetery  at  13uflfalo ;  but 
knowing  or  understanding  the  tenacity  of  his  friends  con- 
cerning his  being  buried  among  white  people,  they  caused 
him  to  be  disinterred  and  placed  in  a  leaden  coffin,  pre- 


m 


i 


i: 


200 


•  II 


1 

1 

;\    '' 

r 

TfTl 

':  *;" 

1  / 1 

;:,  r 

THE    IROQUOIS. 


paratory  to  a  burial  in  a  new  spot.  But  ere  their  desire 
was  accomplished,  his  family  had  heard  of  what  they  con- 
sidered the  terrible  sacrilege,  and  immediately  demanded 
that  he  should  be  given  up.  They  had  removed  from  the 
Buflfalo  to  the  Cattaraugus  reservation,  and  therefore  did 
not  wish  to  bury  him  again  in  the  mission  church-yard,  so 
they  brought  every  particle  of  the  precious  dust  to  their 
own  dwelling,  where  it  still  remains  unburied.  They 
almost  felt  as  if  he  would  rise  .up  to  curse  them,  if  they 
allowed  him  to  lie  side  by  side. with  those  he  so  cordially 
hated.  He  did  not  wish  to  rise  with  pale-faces ;  and 
though,  if  we  should  meet  him  on  the  resurrection  morn, 
we  should  probably  be  able  to  discover  no  marked  differ- 
ence between  his  complexion  and  our  own,  it  is  not  strange 
he  did  not  even  wish  to  mingle  his  red  dust  with  that  of 
his  white  foes. 

It  was  one  of  his  most  emphatic  predictions,  that  the 
"craft  and  avarice  of  the  white  man  would  prevail;  "  and 
in  less  than  nine  years  after  his  death,  every  foot  of  "  the 
ancient  inheritance  of  the  Senecas  was  ceded  to  the  white 
men,  in  exchange  for  a  tract  west  of  the  Mississippi." 
Through  the  intervention  of  the  Friends,  as  I  have  else- 
where stated,  this  calamity  waR  averted,  and  for  the  first 
and  only  time,  the  Indians  recovered  their  land,  after  it 
had  been  fraudulently  obtainec\ 

There  seemed  for  a  time  every  prospect  that  the  pro- 
phetic assertion  of  the  historian  would  be  fulfilled — that 
"Red  Jacket  was  the  last  of  the  Senecas."  But  there 
have  been  wise  men  and  orators  among  them  since,  and 
the  present  just  and  liberal  policy  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  will  soon  place  education  and  cultivation  within  the 
reach  of  all,  and  they  are  abundantly  disposed  to  improve 
and  enjoy  the  good  gifts  which  are  bestowed  upon  them. 
Schoolboys  and  collegians  may  find  some  other  theme 


RED   jacket's   grave. 


201 


iheir  desire 
t  they  con- 
demanded 
id  from  the 
erefore  did 
ch-yard,  so 
ist  to  their 
led.  They 
em,  if  they 
30  cordially 
faces ;  and 
ction  morn, 
rked  differ- 
not  strange 
nih.  that  of 

ss,  that  the 
jvail;  "  and 
)ot  of  "  the 
io  the  white 
[ississippi." 
I  have  else- 
or  the  first 
nd,  after  it 


for  their  eloquence,  than  "  the  last  of  the  Mingces  wending 
his  way  towards  the  setting  sun,"  for  there  is  no  longer 
any  room  to  fear  this  dire  calamity. 

The  following  is  the  inscription  upon  the  stone  at  the 
head  of  hi;,  grave  : 

SA-GO-YE-WAT-HA, 

UE    KEEPS    THEM    AWAKE. 

RED  JACKET, 

OniEF  OF  THE 
WOLF     TRIBE     OF      THE      SENEGAS. 

Died,  Jan.  20,  1830. 
Aged,  78  years. 


at  the  pro- 

fiUed— that 

But   there 

since,  and 

ite  of  New 

a  within  the 

to  improve 

)on  them. 

tther  theme 


i 


CHAPTER  X. 


P' 


m 


f 

i' 

DIGNITY  OF  CHAllACTER  AMONG  THE    IROQUOIS,  ILLUSTRATED 
BY  THE  LIFE  OF  FARMER's  BROTHER  AND  YOUNG  KING. 

Red    Jacket    has   been   most    conspicuous    among  the 

Chiefs  of  the  Seneca  Nation,  because  he  excelled  in  those 
qualities  which  his  enemies  were  willing  to  allow  were 
great.  He  was  not  a  warrior  but  an  orator,  and  however 
marvellous  his  speeches  and  cutting  his  sarcasms,  it  did 
them  no  great  harm  in  those  points  where  their  interest 
was  most  concerned.  What  he  said  was  true,  and  pierced 
like  a  sword,  but  it  fell  powerless  so  far  as  preventing  the 
wrongs  of  which  he  complained,  or  preserving  his  people 
from  the  doom  which  avarice  had  marked  out.  So  even 
those  who  felt  most  keenly  his  hotne  thrusts,  were  willing 
to  applaud  and  crown  him  with  honor. 

But  the  warrior  was  more  dangerous,  and  courage,  and 
fortitude,  and  skill,  in  an  Indian,  did  not  receive  these 
names.  His  bravery  was  savage  desperation,  his  fortitude 
sullenness,  and  his  successful  stratagems  treachery.  When 
a  war  of  extermination  was  planned  by  white  men,  it  was 
said  to  be  in  self-defence,  but  they  could  not  understand 
that  Indians  might  be  influenced  by  the  same  motive.  A 
wrong  to  one  individual  or  clan  was  more  essentially  a 
wrong  to  the  whole,  among  a  people  who  were  compara- 
tively so  few  and  scattered,  than  among  flourishing  com- 


t 

■J. 

•f 


farmer's  brother. 


203 


illustrated 

)UNG  KING. 

among  the 
elled  in  those 
0  allow  were 
and  however 
casms,  it  did 
their  interest 
le,  and  pierced 
preventing  the 
ng  his  people 
aut.  So  even 
[,  were  willing 

d  courage,  and 
receive  these 
n,  his  fortitude 
ichery.  When 
te  men,  it  was 
tot  understand 
ne  motive.  A 
e  essentially  a 
were  compara- 
ourishing  com- 


munities. The  death  of  a  few  distinguished  warriors  or 
chiefs,  was  a  loss  which  could  not  he  easily  supplied; 
when  their  forests  were  cut  down  and  their  villages  were 
laid  waste,  there  was  nothing  left  but  starvation  for  them- 
selves and  families,  or  else  to  bid  for  ever  farewell  to  the 
hills  and  valleys,  and  rocks  and  streams,  which  were  hal- 
lowed by  the  legends  of  centuries, — the  birth-place  and 
burial-place  of  their  fathers.  They  appreciated  every 
thing  that  was  beautiful  in  scenery,  and  loved  their  native 
wilds  as  we  love  the  spot  where  we  were  born.  When 
they  went  forth  to  defend  them,  it  was  not  in  cold  blood, 
but  with  enthusiasm — an  enthusiasm  kindled  by  the  pu- 
rest and  loftiest  sentiments  which  can  animate  the  human 
soul.  On  the  field  of  battle,  they  were  bewildered  and 
maddened  by  the  pompous  array  and  the  flashing  fire,  and 
when  overcome  they  were  desperate,  sullen  and  revengeful. 

Farmer's  Brother  might  have  shone  in  the  council,  but 
he  preferred  the  war-path.  He  had  all  the  gifts  of  Ked 
Jacket,  and  some  which  the  great  orator  had  not.  He 
was  truly  noble,  possessing  the  virtues  which  command 
respect  in  the  world,  and  endear  to  the  heart  in  social  and 
domestic  life.  By  one  who  knew  him  intimately  as  a  com> 
panion  on  the  war-path  and  in  the  camp,  he  is  said  to  be 
"  the  most  noble  Indian  in  form  and  mould — in  carriage 
and  in  soul,  of  that  generation  of  his  race."  He  led  the 
warriors  of  his  nation  in  the  war  of  1812,  during  which 
they  were  remarkable  for  magnanimity  and  kindness — for 
listening  to  the  dictates  of  humanity,  where  even  the  rules 
of  civilized  nations  would  have  sanctioned  a  different 
course.  During  the  revolutionary  war  he  was  a  faithful 
ally  of  the  British ;  and  is  said  to  have  been  in  the  bloody 
battle  in  which  Braddock  lost  his  life  and  the  flower  of  the 
British  army  in  the  old  French  war. 

As  almost  his  whole  life  was  on  the  war-path,  there  U 


ii'' 


•  P  :    'ii 


^t 


^^    :    ;M 


204 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


very  little  to  be  said  of  him  as  a  private  man.  During 
the  wars  with  the  Western  Indians,  he  made  several 
speeches  which  were  remarkable  for  power  and  eloquence, 
but  so  early  as  that  period  it  was  not  the  custom  to  pre- 
serve the  speeches  of  the  Indians,  and  no  portion  of  these 
remain.  But  he  made  one  in  behalf  of  two  white  men, 
who  had  been  taken  captive  in  their  childhood  and  adopted 
by  the  Indians,  and  to  whom  they  wished  to  give  a  tract 
of  land,  to  be  theirs  and  their  children's  for  ever.  As  this 
donation  could  not  be  made  without  the  consent  of  the 
State,  at  the  convening  of  the  General  Assembly  this  pe- 
tition was  sent  by  the  Chiefs,  Sachems  and  warriors,  and 
written  by  Farmer's  Brother.  It  is  another  proof  of  the 
consideration  shown  to  captives  by  the  Indians.  Mr. 
Jones  and  Mr.  Parish  had  been  interpreters  for  the  Six 
Nations,  and  always  true  and  faithful  to  the  Indian  in- 
terests. 

"  The  Sachems,  Chiefs,  and  warriors  of  the  Seneca  na- 
tion to  the  Sachems  and  Chiefs  assembled  about  the  great 
Council  Fire  of  the  State  of  New  York : 

"  Brothers  : — As  you"  are  once  more  assembled  in 
council  for  the  purpose  of  doing  honor  to  yourselves  and 
justice  to  your  country  ;  we,  your  brothers,  the  Sachems, 
Chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Seneca  nation,  request  you  to 
open  your  ears  and  give  attention  to  our  voice  and  wishes. 

"  Brothers  : — You  recollect  the  late  contest  between 
you  and  your  father,  the  great  King  of  England.  This 
contest  threw  the  inhabitants  of  this  island  into  great 
tumult  and  commotion,  like  a  raging  whirlwind  which 
tears  up  the  trees,  and  tosses  to  and  fro  the  leaves,  so 
that  no  one  knows  from  whence  they  come,  or  where  they 
will  fall. 

"  Brothers  : — This  whirlwind  was  so  directed  by  the 
Great  Spirit  above  as  to  threw  into  our  arms  two  of  your 


m' 


GENEROSITY   TO    CAPTIVES. 


205 


I. 


During 
de  several 

eloquence, 
)m  to  pre- 
)n  of  these 
(rhite  men, 
nd  adopted 
ive  a  tract 
As  this 
lent  of  the 
bly  this  pe- 
arriors,  and 
»roof  of  the 
iiaus.  Mr. 
■or  the  Six 

Indian  in* 

Seneca  na- 
lut  the  great 

ssembled  in 
rselves  and 
le  Sachems, 
uest  you  to 
and  wishes. 
;est  between  \ 
;land.  This 
I  into  great 
[wind  which 
le  leaves,  so 
•  where  they 

eoted  by  the 
two  of  your 


I 


infant  children,  Jasper  Parish  and  Horatio  Jones.  We 
adopted  them  into  our  families  and  made  them  our  chil- 
dren. We  loved  them  and  nourished  them.  They  lived 
with  us  many  years.     At  length   the   Gkeat  Spirit 

SPOKE  TO  THE  WHIRLWIND,  AND  IT  WAS  STILL.       A  clcar  and 

uninterrupted  sky  appeared.  The  path  of  peace  was  open- 
ed, and  the  chain  of  friendship  was  once  more  made  bright. 
Then  these  our  adopted  children  left  us  to  seek  their  rela- 
tions. We  wished  them  to  return  among  us,  and  promised 
if  they  would  return,  and  live  in  our  country,  to  give  each 
of  them  a  selat  of  land  for  them  and  their  children  to  sit 
down  upon. 

"Brothers  : — They  have  returned,  and  have  for  seve- 
ral years  past  been  serviceable  to  us  as  interpreters.  We 
still  feel  our  hearts  beat  with  affection  for  them,  and  now 
wish  to  fulfil  the  promise  we  made  them,  and  to  reward 
them  "for  their  services.  We  have  therefore  made  up  our 
minds  to  give  them  a  seat  of  ten  square  miles  of  land, 
lying  on  the  outlet  of  Lake  Erie,  about  three  miles  below 
Black  Rock,  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  a  creek  kncwn  by 
the  name  of  Scoy-gu-quay-des  Creek. 

"  Brothers  : — We  have  now  made  known  to  you  our 
minds ;  we  expect  and  earnestly  request  that  you  will  per- 
mit our  friends  to  receive  this  our  gift,  and  will  make  the 
same  good  to  them  according  to  the  laws  and  customs  of 
your  nation. 

"  Brothers  : — Why  should  you  hesitate  to  make  our 
minds  easy  with  regard  to  this  our  request  ?  To  you  it  is 
but  a  little  thing,  and  have  you  not  complied  with  the  re- 
quest, and  confirmed  the  gift  of  the  Oneidas,  the  Onon- 
dagas  and  Gayugas,  to  their  interpreters?  And  shall 
we  ask  and  not  be  heard  ? 

"  Brothers  : — We  send  you  this  our  speech,  to  which 


m- 


fft'.t 


m 


It 
■Mi 

i 


Zm    !; 


,'i. 


206 


THE    1R0QU0I6. 


we  expect  your  answer  before  the  breaking  up  of  your 
great  council  fire." 

Mr,  Jones,  who  is  alluded  to,  'svas  taken  captive  at  the 
age  of  sixteen,  on  the  banks  of  the  "  Blue  Juniata,"  and 
conveyed  to  the  Genesee  Valley,  where  he  was  adopted 
into  an  Indian  family,  and  remained  five  years,  when  ho 
was  made  interpreter  for  the  Six  Nations  by  General 
Washington. 

He  was  the  favorite  interp^Rter  of  Red  Jacket ;  and 
having  secured  the  perfect  confidence  of  the  Indians,  had 
great  influence  over  them. 

He  married  an  Indian  wife,  and  his  son  became  one 
of  the  most  respected  among  the  Seneca  chiefs ;  he  mar- 
ried the  step-daughter  of  Red  Jacket,  and  left  an  interest- 
ing  family  of  children,  one  of  whom  was  presented  by  the 
dying  mother  to  the  missionaries,  who  adopted  it  for  their 
own.  It  was  a  little  girl,  whom  they  named  Louisa  M^^ria, 
and  who,  though  she  died  'n  early  childhood,  lived  long 
enough  to  become  a  bud  of  promise ;  yes,  a  blossom  of 
Christian  love,  and  hope  and  faith,  a  lamb  of  Christ's 
flock.  She  belonged  to  the  class  of  those  who  always  die 
in  infancy,  ''whose  names  are  all  on  gravestones."  They 
are  perfected  without  the  discipline  of  earth's  trials,  and 
transplanted,  to  bloom  as  spring  flowers  in  the  gardens 
above.  Life  would  be  a  dreary  pathway  without  the  lit- 
tle ones,  and  the  heavenly  choir  would  not  make  so  sweet 
melody  without  the  music  of  their  voices. 

Mr.  Parish  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  afterwards 
emigrated  to  Pennsylvania.  His  home  was  the  Vale  of 
Wyoming,  and  he  experienced  the  fate  of  so  many  of  its 
children.  He  was  taken  captive  when  he  was  eleven,  and 
adopted  with  the  usual  ceremonies,  being  transferred  from 
one  nation  to  another,  and  experiencing  all  the  vicissitudes 
of  Indian  life  during  seven  years,  when  he  was  released. 


I 


faamek's  bkother. 


207 


p  of  your 

tive  at  the 

lata,"  and 

LS  adopted 

when  ho 

)y  General 

Eicket;  and 
idiaus,  had 

>ecame  one 

he  mar- 

an  interest- 

ated  by  the 

it  for  their 

uisa  Mfvria, 

,  lived  long 

blossom  of 

of  Christ's 

»  always  die 

les."     They 

3  trials,  and 

the  gardens 

iOut  the  lit- 

ike  SO  sweet 

afterwards 
ihe  Vale  of 
many  of  its 

eleven,  and 

sferred  from 

vicibsitudes 

as  released. 


I 


i: 


I 


He  could  speak  five  of  the  Indian  dialects  fluently,  and 
wab  interpreter  for  the  Six  Nations  thirty  years. 

Farmer's  Brother,  at  one  time  on  a  visit  to  Philadel- 
phia, was  presented  with  a  'ver  medal  by  Washington, 
which  bore  his  own  likeness,  and  of  which  the  chief  was 
very  proud,  wearing  it  suspended  from  his  neck,  and  say- 
ing he  would  lose  it  only  with  his  life. 

During  the  war  of  1812  he  was  often  associated  with 
Captain  Worth,  who  was  a  great  favorite  with  the  Indians. 
At  one  time  he  was  very  sick  for  several  weeks,  and  the 
Indians  lingered  about  his  tent,  expressing  the  greatest 
anxiety,  ready  for  any  service,  and  Farmer's  Brother  was 
in  the  habit  of  sitting  by  his  bedside  several  hours  every 
day. 

On  one  occasion,  a  Chippewa  Indian  crossed  over  from 
Canada,  and  joined  a  little  party  near  the  quarters  of 
Captain  Worth,  pretending  that  he  had  deserted.  But 
Indians  of  any  nation  were  not  in  the  habit  of  deserting, 
so  his  new  companions  did  not  believe  his  story.  Still 
they  did  not  molest  him,  and  he  mingled  with  them  freely, 
listening  to  their  stories  and  relating  his  own,  till  one  day 
an  indiscretion  betrayed  him.  The  Americans  and  some 
of  their  red  allies  were  boasting  of  the  number  of  red- 
coats they  had  killed,  when  the  Chippewa,  forgetting  his 
disguise,  also  boasted,  but  it  was  of  the  Yankees  and  Sene- 
cas  he  had  slain.  Ah,  yes !  he  was  a  spy ;  and  quickly 
was  he  arraigned  to  answer  for  his  sin. 

Farmer's  Brother  was  by  his  sick  friend,  but  hearing 
the  noise  without,  he  sallied  forth  to  learn  the  cause.  The 
poor  Chippewa  was  surrounded  by  warriors,  that  he  might 
not  make  his  escape,  and  pointed  out  to  the  old  chief  yritk 
great  contempt  as  an  enemy  in  their  midst.  He  learned 
the  particulars,  and  then  stepped  up  to  the  Chippewa, 
with  a  word  or  two,  which  he  alone  understood ;  and  im- 


■'f 


p::li 


i;( 

::i: 

,   i-; 

1 

1 

■''    'i; 

■  ■*'■    -  ■■  'f;'       ■  rl 


i 


I'; 

.''ii- 

m 

v-J 

,*:-5-( 

-:':?:    '  ■ 

:    ''■   '' 

v.," 

'U 

.  1';  ■;  ' 

'*''?,■ 

PI    ■ 

y  '' 

]f'  , 

1  ^  '^^ ' 

^^*=- 

P^.: 

I: 

1'  :::• 

!f 

•4' 

«*■•    ,, 

•-■«',   • 

« 


1  ■  '^'-'' 

''''■'■. 

'*^ 

f ' 

^$ 

•     '^i';  '    !,  ■ 

208 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


mediately  the  culprit  drew  his  blanket  over  his  head,  and 
coolly  received  a  blow  from  the  war-club,  which  sent  him 
staggering  to  the  ground. 

For  a  moment  he  was  stunned  and  motionless,  but 
suddenly  he  sprung  to  his  feet,  rushed  through  the  circle, 
and  fled.  To  shrink  from  pain  or  fear  death,  was  an  ever- 
living  disgrace  to  an  Indian,  and  he  had  not  gone  far 
when  the  taunts  of  the  Senecas  stung  him  more  than 
would  a  thousand  barbed  arrows.  He  stopped,  deliber- 
ately retraced  his  steps,  and  entered  again  the  circle.  Yes, 
he  would  die  with  all  the  heroism  of  an  Indian  warrior ; 
and  the  Athenian  philosopher  did  not  more  coolly  swallow 
the  poison  mixed  by  his  enemies,  than  the  dauntless  Chip- 
pewa seated  himself  upon  the  ground,  and  drew  again  his 
blanket  over  his  head,  lo  receive  the  death  blow.  Now 
they  permitted  him  to  be  shot,  and  Farmer's  Brother  dis- 
charged the  contents  of  his  faithful  rifle  in  his  breast. 

During  the  same  war,  a  fugitive  Mohawk,  from  the 
enemy,  had  endeavored  to  pass  for  a  Seneca,  and  came 
among  those  who  were  led  by  this  famous  chief,  who  im- 
mediately riicoguized  him. 

"  I  knoxv  you  well,"  said  he ;  '•*  you  belong  to  the  Mo- 
hawks. You  are  a  spy.  Here  is  my  rifle,  my  tomahawk, 
my  scalping  knife ;  say  which  shall  I  use ;  I  am  in  haste." 

The  young  Mohavik  knew  there  was  no  hope,  and  said 
he  would  die  by  the  rifle.  He  was  ordered  to  lie  down 
upon  the  grass,  and  with  one  foot  upon  his  breast,  the 
chieftain  shot  him  through  the  head. 

Some  of  my  readers  will  be  ready  to  exclaim,  "  How 
heartless  and  barbarous  !  "  and  thoroughly  savage,  too,  per- 
haps ;  but  I  shall  only  have  to  refer  them  for  a  parallel,  to 
English  and  American  history  only  a  few  years  before, 
when  young  Hale  was  hung  in  an  English  camp  for  being 
a  spy,  and  the  gallant  Major  Andre  in  an  American 


spy, 


camp 


l^r^r. 


lead,  and 
sent  him 

iless,  but 
he  circle, 
8  an  ever- 
gone  far 
lore  than 
,  deliber- 
rcle.  Yes, 
warrior ; 
y  swallow 
less  Chip- 
again  his 
ow.     Now 
rother  dis- 
ircast. 
,  from  the 
and  came 
f,  who  im- 

bo  the  Mo- 
tomahawk, 
in  haste." 
e,  and  said 
)  lie  down 
breast,  the 


m. 


<( 


How 
;e,  too,  per- 
parallel,  to 
irs  before, 
p  for  being 
rican  camp 


IGNORANCL     )P      lONEY. 


209 


couW 


. 


for  the  same  reason;  and  ul  "titions  plead ''igi 
procure  for  them  a  more  honorable  death.  "  (  v  perm 
me  to  be  shot,  and  I  will  glory  in  my  death,  plead  f 
brave  young  man  who  was  risking  life,  and  h  r  too,  rm 
the  service  of  his  country,  and  whose  only  sin  was  that  he 
dared  too  much  for  the  cause  he  had  espoused.  But  even 
Washington  would  not  relent,  and  the  noble  youth  was 
hung  like  a  common  felon. 

The  simplicity  of  the  Indian  in  money  matters,  and 
especially  concerning  the  interest  of  sums  deposited  in 
banks,  was  very  amusing.  At  one  time  there  was  ceded 
a  tract  of  land  including  four  millions  of  acres,  for  which 
they  were  to  receive  one  hundred  thousand  pounds  ;  the 
Indians  being  told  that  the  interest  of  the  money  would 
be  more  useful  than  so  much  unproductive  land,  and  this 
interest  should  be  paid  them  annually.  It  was  very  diffi- 
cult at  first  for  them  to  comprehend  the  nature  of  a  bank, 
and  how  money  could  be  made  to  grow,  knowing  as  they 
did  that  it  was  not  placed  in  the  earth  to  produce  like 
corn.  They  saw  that  it  was  planted  and  produced  a  crop, 
but  the  place  and  the  process  were  a  great  mystery.  But 
those  on  whom  devolved  the  business  soon  made  them- 
selves masters  of  the  science,  and  knew  very  quick  if  the 
crop  was  not  the  full  amount,  though  the  uninitiated 
would  sometimes  ask  what  the  prospect  was  in  a  season 
like  that?  The  figure  was  adopted,  and  is  still  used  in 
their  language,  of  saying  the  money  is  planted  and  grows. 
They  have  planted  a  certain  sum,  and  it  has  grown  to  a 
great  amount.  As  few  of  them  could  count  more  than  a 
hundred,  it  was  a  long  time  before  they  could  reckon  a 
hundred  thousand ;  and  their  first  lesson  was  given  by 
filling  a  cask  with  dollars,  and  then  another,  and  showing 
them  how  many  casks  would  be  required  to  contain  the 


m 


iiiiii 


210 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


w 


}:      ■;...* 


M' 


III-        '-' 


whole,  and  how  many  horses  would  be  necessary  in  order 
to  draw  it. 

It  was  in  the  making  of  this  treaty  that  Red  Jacket 
was  guilty  of  a  duplicity  which  left  a  dark  stain  upon  his 
name  for  ever,  and  sowed  enmity  between  him  and  the 
honest  Farmer's  Brother  and  Cornplanter,  which  was 
never'  entirely  removed. 

When  they  heard  that  there  was  trouble  about  the  in- 
terest of  the  money  that  had  been  deposited  in  the  bank, 
as  it  might  fail,  Farmer's  Brother  wrote  a  letter  express- 
ing the  fears  and  misunderstandings  of  the  people,  ad- 
dressed to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

"  Brother  : — The  sachems  and  chief  warriors  of  the 
Seneca  Nation  of  Indians,  understanding  you  are  the 
person  appointed  by  the  great  council  of  your  nation,  to 
manage  and  conduct  the  affairs  of  the  several  nations  of 
Indians  with  whom  you  are  at  peace  and  on  terms  of 
friendship,  come  at  this  time  as  children  to  a  father,  to 
lay  before  you  the  trouble  which  we  have  on  our  minds. 

"  Brother  : — Listen  to  what  we  say.  Some  years  since 
we  held  a  treaty  at  Bigtree,  near  the  Genesee  River. 
This  treaty  was  called  by  our  great  father,  the  President 
of  the  United  States.  At  this  treaty  we  sold  to  Robert 
Morris^  the  greatest  part  of  our  country;  the  sum  he 
gave  us  was  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  com- 
missioners who  were  appointed  on  your  part,  advised  us 
to  place  this  money  in  the  hands  of  our  great  father,  the 
President  of  the  United  States.  He  told  us  our  father 
loved  his  red  children,  and  would  take  care  of  our  money, 
and  plant  it  in  a  field  where  it  would  bear  seed  for  ever, 
as  long  as  trees  grow,  or  waters  run.  Our  money  has 
heretofore  bten  of  great  service  to  us,  it  has  helped  us  to 
support  our  old  people  and  our  women  and  children ;  but 


iry  in  order 

led  Jacket 
lin  upon  his 
im  and  the 
which  waa 

bout  the  in- 
n  the  bank, 
ter  express* 
I  people,  ad- 

rriors  of  the 
you  are   the 
ir  nation,  to 
Ell  nations  of 
on  terms  of 
a  father,  to 
our  minds, 
ne  years  since 
jnesee  River, 
the  President 
old  to  Robert 
the  sum  he 
s.     The  com- 
rt,  advised  us 
jat  father,  the 
us  our  father 
of  our  money, 
seed  for  ever, 
ar  money  has 
)  helped  us  to 
children;  but 


• 

INDIAN    FUND. 

211 

we  are  told  the  field  where  our  money 

was  planted 

is  be- 

come  barren. 

Brother  :- 

-We  do  not  understand 

your  way  of 

doing 

business.     The  thing  is  very  heavy  on  our  minds:  we 
hope  you  will  remove  it." 

On  the  reception  of  this  letter  the  fund  was  trans- 
ferred from  the  bank  to  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  which  has  ever  since  paid  the  Indians  the  interest 
faithfully.     From  the  sale  of  other  lands  in  the  State 
they  receive  several  thousand  dollars,  and  in  all  about 
($16,500)  sixteen  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.      This 
is  divided  equally  among  men,  women,  and  children.    The 
infant  of  two  days  old  receives  as  large  a  sum  as  the 
greatest  Chief.     It  would  be  infinitely  better  for  th  • 
now,  if  this  money  could  be  appropriated  to  educj  t     i' 
purposes,  or  devoted  to  the  public  benefit  in  some  o^ 
way  ;  but  there  is  not  yet  a  sufficient  number  who  r ;. . 
ciate  the  importance  of  educational  and  other  imj^iovc- 
ments,  to  consent  to  a  change  in  the  distribution  of  their 
annuities.     Unless  they  save  it  every  year,  they  would 
think  they  did  not  have  it.     Yet  there  are  many  who 
fully  understand  and  strongly  advocate  a  better  way^  and 
I  doubt  not  ere  long  it  will  be  adopted,  and  schools  and 
agricultural  interests  be  the  first  to  receive  the  benefit ; 
for  these  they  are  fast  learning  to  value. 

The  following  extract  from  the  journal  of  Mr.  Savery, 
one  of  a  deputation  sent  in  1 794,  by  the  Quakers,  to  learn 
the  condition  and  wants  of  the  Indians,  will  give  a 
glimpse  of  him  in  his  forest  home. 

"  After  dinner  we  went  to  view  Farmer's  Brother's 
encampment,  which  contained  about  five  hundred  Indians. 
They  were  located  by  the  side  of  a  brook,  in  the  woods ; 
having  built  about  seventy  or  eighty  huts,  by  far  the  most 
commodiously  and  ingeniously  made  of  any  we  have  yet 


m 


iM 


Oil! 


212 


THE    IROQUOIk 


mi 


i  i 


ti! 


seen.  The  principal  materials  are  bark  and  the  boughs 
of  trees,  so  nicely  put  together  as  to  keep  the  family  nice 
and  warm.  The  women  as  well  as  the  men  appeared  to 
be  mostly  employed.  In  this  camp  there  are  a  large 
number  of  pretty  children,  who,  in  all  their  activity  and 
buoyancy  of  health,  were  diverting  themselves  according 
to  their  fancy.  The  vast  numbers  of  deer  they  have 
killed,  since  coming  here,  which  they  cut  up  and  hang 
around  their  huts  inside  and  out  to  dry,  together  with  the 
rations  of  beef  which  they  had  drawn  daily,  give  the  ap- 
pearance of  plenty  to  supply  the  few  wants  to  which  they 
are  subjected.  The  ease  and  cheerfulness  of  every  counte- 
nance, and  the  delightfulness  of  the  afternoon,  which  these 
inhabitants  of  the  woods  seemed  to  enjoy  with  a  relish  far 
superior  to  those  who  are  pent  up  in  crowded  and  popu- 
lous cities,  all  combined  to  make  this  the  most  pleasant 
visit  I  have  yet  made  to  the  Indians ;  and  induced  me 
to  believe  that  before  they  became  acquainted  with  white 
people,  and  were  infected  with  their  vices,  they  must 
have  been  as  happy  a  people  as  any  in  the  world.  In 
returning  to  our  quarters  we  passed  by  the  Indian  Coun- 
cil, where  Red  Jacket  was  displaying  his  oratory  to  his 
brother  chiefs.  He  afterwards  made  us  a  visit  with  his 
wife  and  five  children,  whom  he  had  brought  to  see  us. 
They  were  exceedingly  well  clad,  agreeable  in  their  man- 
ners, and  the  best  behaved  and  prettiest  Indian  children 
I  had  ever  met  with." 

In  closing  the  report  ho  says,  that  during  a  sojourn 
of  seven  weeks  among  the  Indians,  they  had  frequent 
opportunity  of  observing  the  melancholy  and  demoraliz- 
ing eflfects  resulting  from  the  supply  of  ardent  spirits 
furnished  them  by  white  people ;  and  the  difficulties  and 
hardships  to  which  these  poor  people,  once  a  free  and 
independent  nation,  are  now  subjected,  appeared  to  them 


m 


farmer's  brother. 


213 


a,nd  the  boughs 
the  family  nice 
3n  appeared  to 
re  are  a  large 
sir  activity  and 
elves  according 
ieer  they   have 
t  up  and  hang 
gether  with  the 
[y,  give  the  ap- 
,s  to  which  they 
)f  every  counte- 
3on,  which  these 
vith  a  relish  far 
wded  and  popu- 
e  most  pleasant 
ind  induced  me 
ited  with  white 
3es,   they   must 
the  world.     In 
le  Indian  Coun- 
s  oratory  to  his 
a  visit  with  his 
(uglit  to  see  us. 
le  in  their  man- 
Indian  children 

luring  a  sojourn 
y  had  frequent 
and  demoraliz- 
f  ardent  spirits 
3  difficulties  and 
)nce  a  free  and 
peared  to  thorn 


loudly  to  claim  the  sympathy  of  friends  and  others,  who 
have  grown  opulent  upon  the  land  which  was  their  former 
inheritance. 

Farmer's  Brother  never  yielded  to  the  temptation  of 
the  fire-water.  He  lived  and  died  a  sober  man.  "  He  was 
a  noble  instance  of  a  great  and  magnanimous  mind.  No 
one  who  looked  upon  him  could  imbibe  feelings  of  uisgust 
or  hatred ;  and  all  who  knew  him  well,  felt  esteem  and 
veneration.  He  was  never  guilty  of  meanness,  littleness, 
or  intrigue ;  but  was  ever  open,  dignified,  and  fearless. 
He  was  a  fine  specimen  of  the  Indian  form,  and  trod  the 
earth  like  a  king,  with  the  impress  of  integrity  and  honor 
upon  his  face  as  it  was  thoroughly  stamped  upon  his 
character." 

"  '  He  was  one  of  nature's  noblemen, 

the  front  of  Jove  himself, 

An  eye  like  Mars  to  threaten  and  command : 
A  station  like  the  herald  Mercury.' " 

"  None  who  saw  him  will  fail  to  recollect  his  majestic 
mien  and  princely  bearing,  much  less  will  they  who  have 
heard  him  in  council,  forget  the  power  and  deep-toned 
melody  of  his  voice — his  natural  and  impressive  gestures, 
and  the  unafi^ected  and  commanding. dignity  of  his  man* 
ner.  Unrivalled  as  a  warrior,  and  only  equalled  by  Red 
Jacket  in  eloquence,  speaking  in  the  verity  of  sober 
prose,  it  may  be  said  that  his  was 

"  'A  combination  and  a  form  indeed, 
To  give  the  world  assurance  of  a  man.'" 

"His  influence  with  his  nation  was  very  great;  and 
his  true  glory,  his  open-heartedness,  his  fidelity  to  truth, 
and  his  generous  magnanimity,  secured  for  him  the  admi- 
ration and  respect  of  every  white  person  who  had  the 


;f. 


ill! 

li! 

(i 


214 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


honor  of  his  acquaintance.  He  was  a  firm  friend  where 
he  promised  fidelity,  and  a  bitter  enemy  to  those  against 
whom  he  contended ;  and  would  lose  the  last  drop  of 
blood  in  his  veins  sooner  than  betray  the  cause  he  had 
espoused.  He  lived  to  be  ninety  years  of  age,  dying  in 
1814,  and  continued  a  Pagan  to  the  day  of  his  death, 
as  thoroughly  opposed  to  Christianity  and  all  the  inroads 
of  civilization  as  Red  Jacket  himself" 

YOUNG-KING. 

The  Indian  names  fall  strangely,  and  sometimes 
harshly  on  ears  polite,  and  when  belonging  to  persons  of 
dignity,  convey  to  us  any  thing  but  an  idea  of  the  true 
qualities  of  those  who  bore  them.  Yet  Big-Kettle  was  a 
truly  great  and  noble  man  ;  and  every  tin;3  I  find  myself 
in  company  with  Indians,  I  am  introduced  to  those  whose 
names  bring  a  smile  to  my  lips  in  spite  of  all  my  attempts 
at  gravity ;  like  Mr.  Silver-heels,  Mr.  Sun-down,  and  Mr. 
Tall-Chief  Young-King  was  a  chief  of  the  Seneca  Na- 
tion, and  one  of  whom  the  people  were  very  proud  on  ac- 
count of  his  bravery  in  war,  his  wisdom  in  council,  and 
his  mild,  pacific  character  in  social  life.  He  was  born  at 
Canandaigua,  which  signifies  in  their  language  ''  The 
Chosen  City,"  and  indicates  far  more  to  them  than  it  does 
to  us  of  beauty  in  scenery  and  location,  and  was  to  the 
Indian  one  of  his  most  loved  spots,  among  all  the  smiling 
valleys  and  fruitful  fields  which  dotted  their  favorite  hunt- 
ing-grounds, on  the  borders  of  the  lakes  and  rivers  which 
stretch  from  the  Hudson  to  Niagara,  and  from  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  the  Ohio.  Oh !  the  cruel  desolation  which 
swept  them  away  I 

Young-King  was  one  of  those  \^ho  fled  before  the 
American  army  under  General  Sullivan,  who  was  sent  to 
dsitroy  their  leitlemsnti  in  1777.     But  he  was  only  a 


AMERICAN   BARBARISM. 


215 


m  friend  where 
0  those  against 
e  last  drop  of 
!  cause  he  had 
f  age,  dying  in 
y  of  his  death, 
all  the  inroads 


and    sometimes 
ig  to  persons  of 
iea  of  the  true 
3if;- Kettle  was  a 
-.3  I  find  myself 
I  to  those  whose 
all  my  attempts 
i-down,  and  Mr. 
the  Seneca  Na- 
ery  proud  on  ac- 
in  council,  and 
He  was  born  at 
language   "  The 
hem  than  it  does 
and  was  to  the 
g  all  the  smiling 
sir  favorite  hunt- 
and  rivers  which 
ud  from  the  St, 
desolation  which 

fled  before  the 
,  who  was  sent  to 
t  he  was  only  a 


boy,  being,  as  he  thought,  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age — as 
his  mother  gave  him  a  frying-pan  to  carry  on  their  flying 
route  to  Canada,  where  they  went  to  seek  the  protection 
of  the  British,  in  whose  service  their  warriors  had 
fought, 

"And  ia  their  cause  bled  nobly." 

He  was  the  son  of  "  Old  Smoke,"  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  sachems  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  though 
not  equal  to  his  father,  was  the  keeper  of  the  council- 
fire,  and  ever  won  the  respect  of  enemies  and  the  love  of 
friends. 

As  I  read  over  volumes  of  history  in  order  to  glean 
the  truth  from  the  great  mass  of  details,  I  cannot  help 
being  struck  with  the  difierent  manner  in  which  massacre 
and  bloodshed  are  represented  when  Indians  are  spoken 
of,  and  when  the  same  things  are  recorded  of  white  men. 
The  villages  of  Wyoming  and  Clierry  Valley  were  de- 
vastated and  destroyed  by  British  and  Indians,  and  the 
shocking  story  is  repeated  and  dwelt  upon  as  unparalleled 
in  atrocity.  The  Indian  is  called  a  barbarian  and  blood- 
thirsty assassin — the  personification  of  cruelty  and  re- 
venge. But  when  it  is  recorded  of  the  American  army 
that  "  they  were  sent  in  every  direction  to  overrun  and 
lay  waste  Indian  settlements,  cut  down  their  orchards, 
destroy  their  provisions  and  crops,  kill  their  cattle  and 
horses,  and  apply  the  besom  of  destruction  to  every  thing 
that  could  give  shelter  or  sustenance  to  man  or  beast ; " 
and  it  is  added,  that  "  they  meted  out  the  full  measure 
of  destruction  and  desolation  upon  every  settlement  that 
came  in  their  way,  and  actually  destroyed  forty  Indian 
villages,  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  bushels  of  corn, 
vast  quantities  of  beans  and  other  vegetables,  a  great 
number  of  horiei,  and  all  farming  utonsils,  and  indeed 


m 


|.i     '■^: 


■;ii! 


:  ! 


216 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


every  thing  that  was  the  result  of  labor  or  the  produce 
of  cultivation;  all  this  being  the  unmolested  and  unre- 
mitting employment  of  five  thousand  men  for  three  weeks ;" 
and  to  close  their  labors  of  destruction,  applied  the  torch 
to  the  ancient  metropolis  of  the  Seneca  Nation,  which 
contained  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  houses — many 
being  killed  and  many  taken  prisoners,  and  all  obliged  to 
flee — men,  women,  and  children — through  the  wilderness, 
strewing  the  way  with  the  dead  and  dying — it  is  called 
"gallant,"  a  "brilliant  achievement,"  a  "glorious  ex- 
ploit !  "  That  Indian  mothers  see  their  children  murdered 
before  their  eyes,  or  starving,  or  wasting  from  sickness, 
is  nothing  to  excite  pity  or  call  forth  compassion.  That 
the  horses,  and  cows,  and  sheep  of  Indians  are  burnt,  and 
all  their  pleasant  fields  laid  waste,  is  matter  of  rejoicing. 
Their  homes  were  far  more  dear  to  them  than  were  the 
homes  of  those  who  had  occupied  them  but  for  a  few 
years ;  for  they  were  living  with  the  legends  and  sweet 
associations  of  centuries.  They  were  deprived  of  their 
birthright.  I  have  listened  with  horror  as  I  have  heard 
old  men  relate  the  talcs  of  hunger,  and  sickness,  and 
misery  to  which  thousands  were  reduced  by  an  act  which 
gained  for  the  victors  immorial  honors  and  not  a  single 
censure. 

The  Indians  were  the  allies  of  the  English,  and  faith- 
ful to  their  plighted  word.  They  fought  according  to 
their  rules  of  warfare,  and  fought  for  their  homes  and 
their  firesides,  their  wives  and  their  children,  and  fought 
in  vain.  Theirs,  too,  were  happy  homes,  where  love  and 
domestic  virtue  dwelt ;  and  tlieir  freedom  from  euvyings 
and  jealousies,  and  striiu  and  malice,  might  put  many 
Christian  homes  to  shame.  Instead  of  wondering  that 
they  hated  white  people,  I  only  wonder  that  the  wounds 
they  received  should  ever  have  healed — that  they  do  '  nt 


li 


YOUNG-KING. 


217 


the  produce 
3d  and  unre- 
,hree  weeks;" 
,ied  the  torch 
Nation,  which 
lOUses — many 
all  obliged  to 
tie  wilderness, 
r — it  is  called 
'  glorious   ex- 
Iren  murdered 
Tom  sickness, 
lassion.     That 
are  burnt,  and 
ir  of  rejoicing, 
than  were  the 
but  for  a  few 
ads  and  sweet 
rived  of  their 
}  I  have  heard 

sickness,  and 
y  an  act  which 
id  not  a  single 

;lish,  and  faith- 
t  according  to 
eir  homes  and 
•en,  and  fought 
where  love  and 
from  cuvyings 
ight  put  many 
wondering  that 
bat  the  wounds 
hat  they  do  '  -^t 


rankle  for  ever,  and  produce  utter  detestation  and  uncon- 
querable enmity  to  every  thing  with  a  pale  skin. 

This  has  been  the  case  with  many,  and  made  it  almost 
impossible  for  the  missionaries  to  convince  them  that  a 
religion  taught  by  such  a  people,  could  have  in  it  any 
good  thing.  And  only  by  living  among  them,  and  exem- 
plyfying  its  principles  by  long  and  intimate  intercourse, 
could  induce  them  to  listen  to  the  Gospel  messages. 

Young-King  was  one  of  the  first  among  the  Seneca 
chiefs  to  see  the  good  influence  of  education  and  the 
Christian  religion  upon  his  people ;  and  his  influence  was 
very  great,  standing  as  he  did  so  high  as  a  warrior  and 
chief. 

Like  too  many,  too,  he  partook  of  the  fire-water,  and 
for  many  years  was  a  victim  of  the  lowest  intemperance. 
In  a  drunken  brawl  he  lost  an  arm,  and  a  finger  from  the 
remaining  hand ;  but  after  he  became  a  Christian,  not  a 
drop  ever  wet  his  lips.  At  one  time,  on  a  journey,  he 
was  thrown  from  his  carriage,  and  badly  injured.  When 
the  physician  came,  he  was  groaning  upon  the  floor  in  a 
neighboring  hut ;  but  the  whiskey-bottle  stood  upon  the 
table,  and  was  an  irresistible  temptation ;  he  must  drink 
before  he  could  attend  his  patient.  When  Young-King 
observed  it,  he  asked  "  What  you  drink  ?  "  The  doctor 
answered,  "  Whiskey,  and  it  will  do  you  good ;  come,  take 
a  glass  !  "  "  No,"  said  the  chief,  "  and  you  no  bleed  mo, 
you  no  bleed  me  ! "  and  though  in  the  most  intense  suflTer- 
ing,  he  would  not  allow  any  thing  to  be  done  for  him  by 
a  man  who  drank  whiskey. 

He  was  the  first  man  who  built  a  rod  of  fence  on  the 
Bufi'alo  Keservation,  where  the  missionaries  first  resided ; 
and  often,  in  the  cold  winter  days,  would  be  seen  on  Sat- 
urday, crossing  the  creek  in  his  little  canoe,  to  see  if  the 
church  were  supplied  with  fupl  for  the  Sabbath ;  and  if  it 
10 


218 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


Ill 


il 


were  not,  with  his  one  hand  wielded  the  axe,  and  chopped 
the  little  pile,  which  he  also  carried  to  the  door,  to  be  sure 
that  it  was  ready  for  the  morning  service,  saying,  he  came 
so  late  into  the  vineyard,  he  must  work  diligently  in  order 
to  accomplish  any  thing  before  he  was  called  away.  He 
enjoyed  very  little  direct  instruction,  and  could  not  read; 
yet  he  seemed  to  understand  clearly  the  history  of  redemp- 
tion, and  the  nature  of  the  atonement,  as  well  as  the  intri- 
cate workings  of  the  human  heart. 

His  manners  were  very  refined  and  gentlemanly  ;  and 
his  deportment,  at  all  times,  that  of  one  who  had  been 
well-bred  and  accustomed  to  cultivated  circles ;  and  the 
old-fashioned  hospitality  which  characterizes  his  people, 
was  kept  up  at  his  fireside  ;  the  poor  were  welcome,  the 
hungry  were  fed,  and  the  friendless  made  to  feel  that  there 
was  still  in  store  for  them  sympathy  and  the  kindness  of 
cordial  friendship. 

He  early  lost  the  wife  of  his  youth,  but  in  the  wife  of 
his  old  age  he  had  a  genuine  helpmate,  who  partic'-  jited 
in  his  desire  to  do  good  among  his  people,  encouraged  his 
hospitality,  and  set  an  example  of  prudence  and  dignity  at 
the  head  of  her  household. 

They  united  with  the  little  mission  church  on  the  same 
day,  and  reminded  one  of  disciples  at  the  feet  of  Jesus, 
when  they  listened  to  the  words  of  the  preacher,  so  child- 
like were  their  manners,  and  so  trusting  the  expression 
of  their  countenances  as  they  drank  at  the  fountain  of 
knowledge. 

The  punishment  of  children  in  the  schools  often  caused 
much  trouble  among  parents,  and  Young-King  proposed 
that  there  should  be  a  committee  appointed  among  the 
chiefs  to  visit  the  schools  regularly,  and  encourage  the 
teachers,  by  talking  to  the  children  of  the  necessity  of 
pbedience  and  order,  and  the  importance  of  education ; 


DEATH    OF    YOUNG-KING. 


219 


e,  and  chopped 
door,  to  be  sure 
jaying,  he  came 
igently  in  order 
led  away.  He 
lould  not  read ; 
tory  of  redemp- 
rell  as  the  intri- 

itlemanly ;  and 
who  had  been 
ircles ;  and  the 
izes  his  people, 
e  welcome,  the 
;o  feel  that  there 
the  kindness  of 

t  in  the  wife  of 
ho  partic'"  u,ted 
encouraged  his 
e  and  dignity  at 

irch  on  the  same 
feet  of  Jesus, 

eacher,  so  child- 
the  expression 
the  fountain  of 


proving  in  all  times  of  trouble  an  able  and  faithful  coun- 
sellor, and  a  support  in  every  good  cause. 

Wicked  white  men  often  tempted  h,"m,  in  order  to 
overcome  his  temperance  resolutions  and  lead  him  into 
sin ;  but  he  was  always  firm,  and  brought  no  dishonor,  in 
any  way,  upon  the  cause  which  he  had  espoused. 

During  the  last  war,  he  was  on  the  side  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  remainder  of  his  life  received  a  pension  of 
two  hundred  dollars  a  year,  as  conopensation  for  his  bra- 
very, and  a  wound  which  ho  recei^'ed  in  performance  of  his 
meritorious  services. 

He  died  in  1835,  and  lies  in  the  Mission  Burial-Ground, 
about  four  miles  from  Buffalo,  where  are  also  most  of  the 
distinguished  men  and  women  of  the  nrtion  who  have  died 
in  the  last  half  century.  It  is  a  consecrated  spot  indeed 
to  the  Indian  and  to  the  mission,  for  there  are  the  lost 
and  loved  ones  of  their  own  little  families,  and  the  first 
fruits  of  their  labors  among  a  pagan  people,  who  received 
Christian  burial.  It  was  once  a  fort,  and  the  soldiers' 
graveyard ;  aad  warriors  of  many  nations,  and  Christian 
pilgrims,  and  little  children,  whom  Jesus  took  in  his  arms 
and  blessed,  now  mingle  their  dust  beneath  the  same 
green  mounds ;  and  some  of  them  will  awake  at  the  sound 
of  the  last  trump  on  the  resurrection  morn,  and  enter  to- 
gether the  New  Jerusalem. 


}ols  often  caused 
-King  proposed 
ited  among  the 
encourage  the 
the  necessity  of 
e  of  education; 


I( 


CHAPTER  XL 

INDIAN    MAGNANIMITY  ILLUSTRATED  BY  THE  LIFE  OF  CORN- 
PLANTER, 

Wars  develope  warriors,  and  give  an  opportunity  to 
the  brave  to  display  their  heroism.  Had  there  been  no 
American  Revolution,  Washington  v  aid  projably  have 
remained  a  quiet  farmer  on  his  estates,  unknown  to  fame ; 
and  had  not  war  been  the  most  glorious  occupation  in 
which  men  could  engage,  thousands  of  others  would  have 
gone  down  to  the  grave  unhonored  and  unsung. 

With  the  Iroquois,  war  and  oratory  being  the  only 
fields  of  distinction,  it  is  only  the  lives  of  orators  and 
warriors  that  we  have  to  record,  in  writing  Indian  history 

Cornplanter  was  scarcely  less  famous  than  Brandt,  aa 
his  feet  were,  all  his  life,  upon  the  war-path.  The  year  of 
his  birth  cannot  be  ascertained  with  accuracy,  but  must 
have  been  as  early  as  1735.  Like  Farmer's  Brother,  he 
was  in  the  battle  which  ended  so  disastrously  for  the 
British  in  Braddock's  defeat,  in  1 755 ;  and  to  the  Indians 
alone  the  French  owed  all  thoir  victories,  in  the  "  old 
French  war,"  as  in  an  Indian  country,  with  the  primitive 
inhabitants  so  numerous  as  they  were  then,  he  who  secured 
their  alliance,  must  be  morally  certain  of  securing  victory. 
Allowing  Cornplanter  to  have  been  twenty  years  old  at 
that  time,  and  he  could  scarcely  have  been  younger,  his 


'■  / 


LIFE  OF  CORN- 


)pportunity  to 
there  been  no 
pro'jably  have 
:nown  to  fame ; 

occupation  in 
srs  would  have 
sung. 

being  the  only 
>f  orators  and 
Indian  history 
lan  Brandt,  as 
I.  The  year  of 
•acy,  but  must 
•'s  Brother,  he 
rously  for  the 
I  to  the  Indians 
''old 
1  the  primitive 

he  who  secured 
^curing  victory, 
years  old  at 


younger,  his 


<^OJ{N  TLA.NTER. 


m\\ 


W 


W 


:W 


the 


CORNPLANTER. 


221 


birthday  ^as  three  years  later  than  that  of  Washington. 
His  father  was  a  white  man,  and  his  mother  an  Indian  of 
the  Seneca  nation,  and  his  birthplace  Conewango,  in  the 
valley  of  the  Genesee  River.  There  is  very  little  for  me 
to  relate  of  him,  though  he  lived  more  than  a  hundred 
years,  and  was  ever  on  the  alert,  because  I  cannot  follow 
him  to  the  battle  ground,  and  he  lived  in  a  time  when  it 
was  thought  little  else  was  worth  relating  concerning  a 
great  man,  except  his  great  deeds. 

In  a  speech  which  he  once  wrote  to  the  Governor  of 
Pennsylvania,  he  says  of  himself: 

"  When  I  was  a  child,  I  played  with  the  butterfly,  the 
grasshopper,  and  the  frogs ;  and  as  I  grew  up,  I  began  to 
pay  some  attention,  and  play  with  the  Indian  boys  in  the  ' 
neighborhood ;  they  took  notice  of  my  skin  being  a  dif- 
ferent color  from  theirs,  and  spoke  about  it.  I  inquired 
of  my  mother  the  cause,  and  she  told  me  that  my  father 
was  a  resident  in  Albany.  I  still  ate  my  food  out  of  a 
bark  dish.  I  grew  up  to  be  a  young  man,  and  married 
me  a  wife,  and  I  had  no  kettle  or  gun.  I  then  knew 
where  my  father  lived,  and  went  to  see  him,  and  found  he 
was  a  white  man,  and  spoke  the  English  language.  He 
gave  me  food  while  I  was  at  his  house,  but  when  I  started 
to  return  home,  he  gave  me  no  provisions  to  eat  on  the 
way.     He  gave  me  neither  kettle  nor  gun." 

It  was  the  fate  of  all  those  who  had  as  much  white  as 
red  blood  in  their  veins,  to  be  rejected  by  the  white  pa- 
rent ;  and  they  therefore  had  no  alternative  but  to  wed 
themselves  to  Indian  customs,  and  be  Indians  in  name,  if 
not  in  reality.  This  sometimes  infused  a  bitterness  into 
their  spirits,  and  made  them  doubly  ferocious,  when  called 
to  defend  themselves  against  white  enemies. 

During  all  the  revolutionary  war,  Cornplanter  was 
the  ally  of  the  British ;  but  when  the  hatchet  was  buriedj 


222 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


W' 


t '■'■■* 


h. 


■m 


■mm 
til 


fiii 


:  iii 
m 

■•i!!!li' 
Iii 


;!li! 


and  especially  when  the  Indian  was  deserted  by  those  for 
whom  he  had  so  faithfully  fought,  he  became  the  friend 
of  the  United  States,  and  never  after  wavered  in  his  loy- 
alty to  the  Republic.  In  one  of  his  war  excursions,  he 
sought  his  father's  dwelling,  and  surprising  him,  made 
him  a  prisoner.  The  old  man  was  in  terror  at  falling  into 
the  hands  of  an  Indian ;  and,  perhaps,  would  have  feared 
more,  if  he  had  known  that  his  captor  was  his  son.  But 
he  did  not  recognize  him  till  Corn  planter,  after  obliging 
him  to  march  ten  or  twelve  miles  into  the  forest,  leaving 
him  all  the  while  to  imagine  his  fate,  stepped  up  before 
him  and  said : 

"  My  name  is  John  0.  Bail — commonly  called  Corn- 
planter.  I  am  your  son  !  You  are  my  father !  You  are 
now  my  prisoner,  and  subject  to  the  customs  of  Indian 
warfare.  But  you  shall  not  be  harmed — you  need  not 
fear.  I  am  a  warrior  !  Many  are  the  scalps  I  have 
taken  !  many  prisoners  I  have  tortured  to  death  !  I  am 
your  son  !  I  was  anxious  to  see  you,  and  greet  you  in 
friendship.  I  went  to  your  cabin  and  took  you  by  force. 
But  your  life  shall  be  spared.  Indians  love  their  friends 
and  their  kindred,  and  treat  them  with  kindness.  If  now 
you  choose  to  follow  the  fortunes  of  your  red  son,  and  to 
live  with  our  people,  I  will  cherish  your  old  age  with 
plenty  of  venison,  and  you  shall  live  easy.  But  if  it  is 
your  choice  to  return  to  your  fields,  and  live  with  your 
white  children,  I  will  send  a  party  of  my  trusty  young 
men  to  conduct  you  back  in  safety.  I  respect  you,  my 
father ;  you  have  been  friendly  to  Indians,  and  they  are 
your  friends." 

The  father,  of  course,  preferred  his  home  and  his 
white  children ;  and  the  promise  was  faithfully  fulfilled, 
of  escorting  him  in  safety  back  to  his  cabin.  One  can 
easily  imagine  that  the  young  Complanter  intended  to 


,-H:tii 


cornplanter's  generosity. 


223 


1  by  those  for 

ae  the  friend 

red  in  his  loy- 

excursions,  he 

iig  him,  made 

at  falling  into 

Id  have  feared 

his  son.     But 

after  obliging 

forest,  leaving 

ped  up  before 

ly  called  Corn- 
;her !    You  are 
oms  of  Indian 
—you  need  not 
scalps  I  have 
death !     I  am 
d  greet  you  in 
c  you  by  force, 
re  their  friends 
dness.     If  now 
ed  son,  and  to 
r  old  age  with 
But  if  it  is 
live  with  your 
^  trusty  young 
espect  you,  my 
3,  and  they  are 

home  and  his 
hfuUy  fulfilled, 
ibin.  One  can 
er  intended  to 


"  heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head,"  though  he  had  never 
heard  the  Scripture  injunction ;  and  in  this  instance,  cer- 
tainly acted  according  to  the  golden  rule,  of  doing  as  he 
would  be  done  by.  His  father  had  rejected  him;  had 
never  performed  the  parent's  duty  of  sheltering  him,  or 
giving  him  food  or  clothes,  or  bestowed  upon  him  a  word 
of  affection,  or  manifested  in  him  any  interest.  That  he 
had  a  son  among  them,  may  have  softened  his  feelings 
towards  Indians,  and  prompted  him  to  befriend  them ; 
but  our  impressions  concerning  the  promptings  of  Indian 
blood,  would  lead  us  to  expect  retaliation  for  such  neglect. 
We  might  expect  him  to  ask.  Why  should  the  father  love 
and  cherish  his  white  children,  and  leave  him  to  run  wild 
in  the  forest  ?  Very  likely  these  thoughts  passed  through 
his  mind,  but  no  Christian  mother  ever  more  thoroughly 
inculcated  the  precept,  "  Honor  thy  father  and  thy 
mother,  that  thy  days  may  be  long  in  th^  land  which  the 
Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee,"  than  the  untaught  Indian 
woman  in  the  wilderness.  If  Cornplanter  had  fallen  up- 
on his  white  brethren  and  sisters  in  anger,  and  meted  out 
to  them  vengeance,  on  account  of  their  being  the  Benja- 
mins of  their  father's  household,  we  should  have  called  it 
consistent  with  Indian  character.  But  though  he  had  it 
in  his  power  at  any  time  to  cause  them  to  be  slain,  or 
taken  captive,  he  left  them  by  their  firesides  in  safety  and 
peace.  That  he  sometimes  thought  of  the  injustice  he 
was  experiencing,  is  evident  from  the  ironical  allusions  he 
made  to  the  peculiar  embarrassment  of  neglected  children, 
in  his  speeches. 

At  one  time,  he,  with  several  other  Chiefs,  was  at  a 
great  dinner,  given  upon  the  ratification  of  a  long-pending 
treaty.  Wine  being  part  of  the  entertainment,  Corn- 
planter  took  his  glass  and  said  : 

"  I  thank  the  Great  Spirit  for  this  opportunity  of 


224 


THE     IROQUOIS. 


ay 

'I. 


¥ii' 


m 


'Hi 


■Mm 


smoking  the  pipe  of  friendship  and  love.  May  we  plant 
our  own  vines,  be  the  fathers  of  our  own  children^  and 
maintain  them .' " 

The  Indian  name  of  Cornplanter  was  Ga-ne-o-di-yo,  or 
Handsome  Lake ;  and  he  had  a  half-brother,  who  became 
distinguished  among  the  Iroquois  as  the  founder  of  a  new 
religion.  Having  spent  his  youth  in  dissipation,  he  sud- 
denly reformed,  and  announced  that  he  had  been  commis- 
sioned by  the  Great  Spirit  as  an  apostle,  endowed  with 
supernatural  gifts,  and  having  a  new  revelation.  At  the 
time  of  his  conversion — if  such  it  may  be  termed — he  re- 
sided with  Cornplanter,  in  a  little  village  on  the  Alle- 
ghany River,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

During  a  severe  illness,  he  pretended  to  have  had  a 
vision,  and  to  have  visited  the  world  of  spirits,  where  he 
was  shown  tortures  inflicted  upon  the  wicked,  and  also  the 
happiness  of  the  good.  He  was  successful  in  obtaining 
the  credence,  not  only  of  the  people,  but  of  the  Chiefs ; 
and  through  his  new  doctrines,  operated  upon  the  super- 
stitious tendencies  in  the  minds  of  those  whom  it  ?/as  his 
office  to  reform,  and  was  really  the  means  of  great  good, 
He  rejected  some  of  the  ancient  Pagan  ceremonies,  and 
adopted  new  ones  in  their  stead,  and  promulgated  a  code 
of  morality,  suited  to  their  new  condition  and  temptations. 

The  Indians  had  a  superstitious  fear  of  conforming  to 
the  customs  of  white  people — believing  it  would  not  be 
right  for  them  to  build  similar  houses,  or  wear  similar 
clothes,  or  eat  the  same  food. 

The  new  teacher  convinced  them  that  it  would  bo  im- 
possible for  them  to  live  longer  in  their  old  way,  and  that 
the  Great  Spirit  had  commissioned  him  to  tell  them  they 
might  now  adopt  the  customs  of  palo-faces.  But  ho 
threatened  them  with  all  the  tortures  which  the  evil- 
minded  oould  inflict,  if  they  did  not  cease  to  drink  the 


v^ 


CODE   OF    MORALITY. 


225 


ay  we  plant 
hildren,  and 

Qe-o-di-yo,  or 
who  became 
ider  of  a  new 
ition,  he  sud- 
jeen  commis- 
ndowed  with 
ion.  At  the 
rmed — he  re- 
on  the  AUe- 

,0  have  had  a 
rits.  where  he 
,  and  also  the 

in  obtaining 
•  the  Chiefs; 
)on  the  super- 
om  it  7/as  his 
if  great  good, 
remonies,  and 
ilgated  a  code 
1  temptations, 
conforming  to 
would  not  be 

wear  similar 

would  bo  im- 
way,  and  tliat 
tell  them  they 
CCS.  But  he 
ich  the  evil 
to  drink  the 


fire-water ;  and  so  thoroughly  did  he  inspire  them  with 
respect  for  himself,  and  faith  in  his  divine  mission,  that 
there  was  soon  visible  a  great  change  in  the  moral  condi- 
tion of  the  people. 

Among  his  inventions  for  worki.ig  upon  their  fears, 
were  the  particular  torments  designed  for  oflFenders  of  va- 
rious classes. 

He  saw  in  the  House  of  Torment  a  drunkard,  obliged 
to  drink  a  red-hot  liquid,  as  this  was  an  article  he  had 
always  loved.  After  drinking,  there  issued  from  his 
mouth  a  stream  of  blaze.  He  was  slowly  consuming  -yith 
his  tortures. 

A  man,  who  was  in  the  habit  of  beating  his  wife,  was 
led  to  the  red-hot  statue  of  a  female,  and  requested  to 
treat  it  as  he  had  done  his  wife.  He  commenced  beating 
it,  and  the  sparks  flew  out  and  were  continually  burning 
him,  but  yet  he  would  not  consume.  Thus  would  it  be 
done  to  all  who  beat  their  wives. 

Those  who  sold  fire-water  to  tLe  Indians,  would  have 
their  flesh  eaten  from  their  arms. 

Those  who  sold  land  to  white  people,  would  be  for 
ever  employed  in  removing  heaps  of  sand,  grain  by  grain. 

In  a  large  field  of  corn,  overrun  with  weeds,  women 
were  at  work  pulling  them  up ;  but  as  fast  as  they  were 
removed,  they  grew  again — thus  their  work  was  never 
done.  These  were  women  who  had  been  lazy,  and  thus 
all  indolent  women  would  be  punished. 

There  was  an  appropriate  punishment  for  those  who 
were  unkind  to  the  aged  and  to  children ;  and  he  who  in- 
stituted this  new  order  of  things,  went  from  village  to  vil- 
lage, ''  preaching  and  exhorting ;  '^  and  among  all  the 
unchristianized  Indians,  he  was  favorably  received,  few 
doubting  his  divine  authority. 

By  many,  the  scheme  is  thought  to  have  originated 
10» 


W'       I: 


226 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


if 


'J ' 


IW 


ii: 

'4r 


with  CornplaDter,  and  is  certainly  worthy  his  sagacious 
mind.  But  he  who  executed  the  plan,  must  have  been  a 
man  of  no  , ordinary  genius  They  probably  saw  their 
race  running  to  swift  destruction,  and  thought  to  devise 
a  way  to  arrest  the  destroyer.  There  was  little  hope  of 
bringing  them  so  speedily  under  the  influence  of  Chris- 
tianity, as  to  produce  the  desired  effect ;  and  in  no  way 
would  there  be  much  hope,  but  by  appealing  to  their  su- 
perstitious fears. 

The  successor  of  the  apostle  is  So-se-ha-wa,  who  is  a 
sincere  believer  in  the  divine  nature  of  the  rolssivn  of 
Ga-ne-o-di-yo.  At  the  convening  of  the  mourning  and 
religious  councils,  he  repeats  the  message  first  delivered 
to  the  author  of  the  new  religion,  and  earnestly  entreats 
all  the  people  to  heed  his  instructions.  He  is  a  man  emi- 
nent for  his  virtues,  and  full  of  zeal  in  the  performance 
of  what  he  believes  to  be  the  duties  of  his  holy  office. 
He  is  a  grandson  of  Ga-neodiyo,  and  n«  '-^  -  of  Red 
Jacket.      His   birthplace   was   Ga-no-wau-,  car   the 

town  of  Avon,  in  1774;  and  his  present  residence,  Tona- 
wanda,  in  the  county  of  Genesee. 

Cornplanter  had  for  many  years  the  enmity  of  a  large 
portion  of  his  people,  on  account  of  the  course  ho  took  in 
selling  lands  and  making  treaties.  His  superior  sagacity 
led  him  to  see,  that  unless  by  formal  treaty  they  parted 
with  a  portion,  and  secured  to  themselves  another  portion 
by  the  same  means,  they  would  again  be  involved  in  war, 
and  be  deprived  of  the  whole.  His  motives  were  after- 
wards appreciated ;  but  during  the  trial  he  was  often  in 
danger  of  losing  his  life,  so  exasperated  were  the  Indians 
at  seeing  their  beloved  country  thus  readily  yielded  up 
to  their  enemies.  Cornplanter  mourned  as  sincerely  as 
they,  but  a  wise  policy  dictated  the  course  he  pursued. 
In  one  of  his  appeals  oonoerning  a  small  territory,  border- 


liii' } 


CORNPLANTER. 


227 


is  sagacious 
have  been  a 
ly  saw  their 
ht  to  devise 
ttle  hope  of 
ice  of  Chris- 
id  in  no  way 
;  to  their  su- 

L-wa,  who  is  a 
0  ro'issivn  of 
aourning  and 
irst  delivered 
estly  entreats 
is  a  man  emi- 
!  performance 
is  holy  office. 
;  V    -  of  Red 
0.       car  the 
idence,  Tona- 
lity of  a  large 
rse  he  took  in 
erior  sagacity 
ly  they  parted 
lother  portion 
volved  in  war, 
es  were  after- 
was  often  in 
>e  the  Indians 
ily  yielded  up 
IS  sincerely  as 
he  pursued, 
ritory,  border- 


I 


ing  upon  Pennsylvania,  occupied  by  Halftown  and  his 
people,  which  had  been  ceded  by  the  treaty  of  Fort  Stan- 
wix,  and  which  they  wished  restored,  he  used  the  follow- 
ing language : 

"  They  grew  out  of  the  land,  and  their  fathers  grew 
out  of  it,  and  they  cannot  be  persuaded  to  part  with  it. 
It  is  a  very  little  piece.  We,  therefore,  entreat  you  to 
restore  to  us  this  little  piece  of  land. " 

It  reminds  one  of  the  prayer  of  Lot :  "  Is  it  not  a 
little  city  ?  "  but  it  was  not  successful.  Halftown  and 
his  people  were  obliged  to  move,  and  again  fell  trees  and 
till  new  fields.  It  is  not  strange  they  were  discouraged, 
and  retrograded,  instead  of  advancing  in  civilization. 

In  1790  Cornplanter  visited  Philadelphia  in  company 
with  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  the  celebrated  missionary  among 
the  Iroquois,  and  Bigtree  and  Halftown.  During  the 
frequent  interviews  of  the  missionary  with  the  great 
chief,  the  Christian  religion  was  the  theme  of  conversation, 
and  Mr.  Kirkland  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  Cornplanter 
became  a  believer  in  its  doctrines,  and  also  experienced 
the  faith  and  indulged  the  hopes  of  the  Christian. 

In  Sparks'  American  Biography,  I  find  the  following 
extract  from  his  journal  concerning  the  event, 

"  I  do  not  now  regret  my  journey.  I  think  I  never 
enjoyed  more  agreeable  society  with  any  Indian  than 
Cornplanter  has  afforded  me.  He  seems  raised  up  by 
Providence  for  the  good  of  his  nation.  He  exhibits  un- 
common g«»niu8,  possesses  a  very  strong  and  distinguishing 
mind,  and  will  bear  the  most  mental  application  of  any 
Indian  I  was  ever  acquainted  with.  When  the  business 
he  came  upon  did  not  require  his  immediate  attention,  he 
would  be  incessantly  engaged  in  conversation  upon  the 
subject  of  divine  revelation.  He  appeared  anxious  as  well 
as  curious,  in  his  inquiries  for  the  evidences  of  the  Scrip- 


228 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


't 


ture  account  of  creation,  the  Christian  scheme  of  doctrine, 
and  the  effects  Christianity  would  produce  upon  the  various 
nations  of  the  earth,  under  the  administration  of  the  Son 
of  God.  No  subject  seemed  to  animate  his  miod,  and 
excite  his  inquiries  more,  than  the  universal  peace  and 
harmony  which  should  take  place  in  the  latter  day.  He 
would  many  times  not  leave  the  subject  short  of  three  or 
four  hours'  conversation.  For  the  last  week  I  was  with 
them,  he  vrould  not  allow  the  Sachems  and  warriors  to 
S't  dowr  at  meal-time,  without  having  me  ask  the  divine 
blessiig  upon  the  food,  and  has  never  been  intoxicated 
once  during  the  whole  course  of  his  life.  At  our  parting 
he  observed  to  me,  that  his  business  with  Congress  was 
settled  to  his  entire  satisfaction,  and  he  believed  it  would 
gratify  every  wish  of  his  nation,  and  he  should  return 
home  well  stored  with  provisions  by  the  way  ;  but  through 
the  wonderful  good  providence  of  God,  he  had  a  richer 
store  of  spiritual  food,  out  of  which  he  could  take  a  por* 
tioQ  for  his  mind  to  feed  upon,  and  digest  every  day 
through  his  long  journey ;  and  that  he  could  not  suffi- 
ciently thank  the  Great  Spirit  for  giving  him  this  oppor- 
tunity of  being  so  long  with  me." 

The  Indians  were  accustomed  to  call  Washington  "  The 
Town  Destroyer,"  on  account  of  the  destruction  his  armies 
caused  wherever  they  went ;  but  after  he  became  President, 
his  patient  attention  to  their  appeals,  and  promptness  in 
redressing  their  grievances,  acquired  for  him  the  title  of 
Father,  and  gained  for  him  the  love  of  the  Indians,  that 
was  like  the  love  of  children. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  long  appeal,  made 
to  Washington  by  Cornplanter  and  other  chiefs,  setting 
forth  their  wrongs,  and  asking  justicu. 

The  speech  of  Cornplanter,   Half  town,   and  Bigtree, 


'  'I'll  i' 


cornplanter's  appeal. 


229 


f  doctrine, 
the  various 
)f  the  Son 
mind,  and 
peace  and 

day.     He 
3f  three  or 
I  was  with 
varriors  to 
the  divine 
intoxicated 
our  parting 
)ngress  was 
ed  it  would 
)uld  return 
)ut  through 
id  a  richer 

take  a  por- 

every  day 
d  not  suffi- 

this  oppoi- 

ngton  "The 
I  his  armies 
B  President, 
)mptness  in 
the  title  of 
idians,  that 

)peal,  made 
efs,  setting 

nd  Bigtree, 


chiefs  and  councillors  of  the  Seneca  Nation,  to  the  Great 
Councillor  of  the  Thirteen  Fires. 

"  Father  : — The  voice  of  the  Seneca  nation  speaks  to 
you,  the  great  councillor,  in  whose  heart  the  wise  men  of 
all  the  Thirteen  Fires  have  placed  their  wisdom.  It  may 
be  very  small  in  your  ears,  and  we  therefore  entreat  you  to 
hearken  with  attention ;  tor  we  speak  of  things  which  are 
to  us  very  great.  When  your  army  entered  the  country 
of  the  Six  Nations,  we  called  you  the  Town  Destroyer  ; 
and  to  this  day  when  that  name  is  heard,  our  women  look 
behind  them  and  turn  pale,  and  our  childr«»:i  cling  to  the 
necks  of  their  mothers.  Our  councillors  and  warriors  are 
men,  and  cannot  be  afi  aid ;  but  their  hearts  are  grieved 
with  the  fears  of  our  women  and  children,  and  desire  that 
it  may  be  buried  so  deep  as  to  be  heard  no  more.  When 
you  gave  us  peace  we  called  you  Father,  because  you 
promised  to  secure  us  in  the  possession  of  our  lands.  Do 
this,  and  so  long  as  the  lands  shall  remain,  that  beloved 
name  shall  live  in  the  heart  of  every  Seneca." 

Then  follows  a  long  and  particular  account  of  the 
treaty  by  which  the  Indians  had  given  up  their  land  ;  ho'? 
they  had  been  deceived,  and  were  threatened  with  war  if 
they  did  not  comply  with  all  that  was  demanded — and 
proceeds : 

"  Upon  this  threat,  our  chiefs  held  a  council,  and  they 
agreed  that  no  event  of  war  could  be  worse  than  to  be 
driven  with  our  wives  and  children  froji  the  only  country 
which  we  had  any  right  to. 

"  Astonished  at  what  wo  heard  from  every  quarter, 
with  hearts  aching  with  oompasfion  for  om  .omen  and 
children,  we  were  compelled  to  give  up  all  our  country 
north  of  the  line  of  Pennsylvania,  &c. 

"  Father  : — You  have  said  that  we  were  in  your  hand, 
and  that  by  closing  it  you  could  crush  u.9  to  nothing.    Are 


■  ! 


230 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


IR. 


you  determined  to  crush  us  ?  If  you  are,  tell  us  so ;  that 
those  of  our  nation  who  have  become  your  children,  and 
have  determined  to  die  so,  may  know  waat  to  do. 

"  In  this  ease,  one  cb'e^  has  said  he  would  ask  you  to 
p'lt  him  out  of  pain.  Another,  who  will  not  think  of  dying 
by  the  hand  of  his  father  or  his  brother,  has  said  he  will 
retire  to  the  Chateaugay,  eat  of  the  fatal  root,  and  sleep 
with  his  fathers  in  peace. 

"  Before  you  determine  on  a  measure  so  unjust,  look 
up  to  God,  who  has  made  us  as  well  as  you.  We  hope  he 
will  not  permit  you  to  destroy  the  whole  of  our  nations. 

"  The  Chippewas  and  all  the  nations  westward,  call  us 
and  ask  us, — '  Brothers  of  our  Fathers,  where  is  the  place 
you  have  preserved  for  us  to  lie  down  upon  ? '  You  have 
compelled  us  to  do  that  which  has  made  us  ashamed.  We 
have  nothing  to  answer  to  the  children  of  the  brothers  of 
our  fathers. 

"  Father  : — We  will  not  conceal  from  you  that  the  Great 
God,  and  not  man,  has  preserved  the  Cornplanter  from  the 
hands  of  his  own  nation.  For  they  ask  continually, 
( Where  is  the  land  which  our  children  and  their  children 
after  them,  are  to  lie  down  upon? '  He  is  silent,  for  he 
has  nothing  to  answer.  When  the  sun  goes  down  he  opens 
his  heart  before  God,  and  earlier  than  the  sun  appears  upon 
the  hills,  he  gi\es  thanks  for  his  protection  during  the 
night ;  for  he  feels  that  among  men,  become  desperate  by 
their  danger,  it  i;i  God  only  who  can  preserve  them.  He 
loves  peace,  and  all  that  he  had  in  store,  he  has  given  to 
those  who  have  been  robbed  by  your  people,  lest  they 
should  slander  the  innocent  to  repay  themselves.  The 
whole  season  which  others  have  employed  in  providing  for 
their  families,  he  has  spent  in  his  endeavors  to  preserve 
peace ;  and  at  this  moment  his  v'fe  and  'children  are  ly- 
ing on  the  ground,  and  in  want  of  food ;  his  heart  is  in 


Mll'ljtltl 


cornplanter's  appeal 


231 


as  so ;  that 

tildren,  and 

io. 

ask  you  to 

ak  of  dying 

said  he  will 

t,  and  sleep 

unjust,  look 
We  hope  he 
ar  nations, 
vard,  call  us 
is  the  place 
You  have 
lamed.  We 
I  brothers  of 

lat  the  Great 
iter  from  the 
continually, 
leir  children 
silent,  for  he 
own  he  opens 
appears  upon 
during  the 
desperate  by 
them.     He 
has  given  to 
)le,  lest  they 
selves.     The 
providing  for 
:s  to  preserve 
ildren  are  ly- 
is  heart  is  in 


pain  for  them,  but  he  perceives  that  the  Great  God  will 
try  his  firmness  in  doing  what  is  right. 

"  Father  : — The  game  which  the  Great  Spirit  sent  into 
our  country  for  us  to  eat,  is  going  from  among  us ;  we 
thought  that  He  intended  that  we  should  till  the  land 
with  the  plough,  as  the  white  people  do,  and  we  talked  to 
one  another  about  it.  But  before  we  speak  to  you  con- 
cerning this,  we  must  know  frtjm  you  whether  you  mean  to 
leave  us  and  our  children  any  land  to  till. 

"  Father  : — Innocent  men  of  our  nation  are  killed  one 
after  another,  and  our  best  families ;  but  none  of  your 
people  who  committed  the  murders  have  been  punished. 

"  Father  : — These  are  to  us  very  great  things.  We 
know  that  you  are  very  strong,  and  we  have  heard  that 
you  are  wise,  and  we  wait  to  hear  your  answer  to  what  we 
have  said,  that  we  may  know  that  you  are  just." 

It  was  not  in  the  power  of  Washington  to  perform  all 
the  Chiefs  asked,  but  he  promised  that  all  he  could  do 
should  be  done,  and  expressed  the  kindest  sympathy  in 
their  .sufferings,  saying: — 

"  The  merits  of  Cornplanter,  and  his  friendship  for 
the  United  States,  are  well  known  to  me,  and  shall  not  be 
forgotten  ;  and,  as  a  mark  of  esteem  of  the  United  States, 
I  have  directed  the  Secretary  of  War  to  make  him  a  pre- 
sent of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  either  in  money  or 
goods,  as  the  Cornplanter  shall  like  best." 

So  they  returned  home  soothed  and  comforted.  In 
the  answer  which  Cornplanter  made  he  said  : — 

"  Father  : — Your  speech  written  on  the  great  paper, 
is  to  us  like  the  morning  to  the  sick  man,  whose  pulse 
beats  too  strongly  iu  his  temples,  and  prevents  him  from 
sleep.  He  sees  it  and  rejoices,  but  is  not  cured. 
.  "  Father  : — You  give  us  leave  to  speak  our  minds  con- 
cerning the  tilling  of  the  ground.     We  ask  you  to  teaoh 


■I  -I 


232 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


^'--.  iv 


us  to  plough  and  to  grind  corn ;  to  assist  us  in  building 
saw-mills,  and  to  supply  us  with  broadaxes,  saws,  augers, 
and  other  tools,  so  as  that  we  make  our  houses  more  com- 
fortable and  more  durable ;  that  you  will  send  smiths 
among  us,  and,  above  all,  that  you  will  teach  our  children 
to  read  and  write,  and  our  women  to  spin  and  weave." 

Whilst  Cornplanter  was  absent  several  murders  were 
committed  among  his  people  by  white  men,  and  some,  of 
the  best  families,  were  destroyed.  He  then  made  another 
appeal  for  protection,  and  did  all  in  his  power  to  quiet  the 
revengeful  feelings  of  those  who  had  been  injured ;  thus 
proving  that  he  was  sincere  in  his  professions  of  friend- 
ship and  love  of  peace. 

At  the  very  time  that  he  was  about  to  depart  as  an 
ambassador  of  peace  to  the  Western  Indians,  "  three  of 
his  people  were  travelling  through  a  settlement  upon  the 
Genesee,  and  stopped  at  a  house  to  light  their  pipes. 
There  happened  to  be  several  white  men  within,  one  of 
whom,  as  the  foremost  Indian  stooped  down  to  light  his 
pipe,  killed  him  witii  an  axe,  another  of  the  party  was 
badly  wounded  with  the  same  weapon  whilst  escaping  from 
the  house.'* 

When  Cornplanter  heard  of  this,  he  did  not  plan  re- 
venge, and  instigate  his  men  to  slay  the  first  white  men 
they  met  in  return ;  but  commanded  his  warriors  to  let 
their  tomahawks  remain  sheathed,  and  only  said,  "  It  is 
hard,  when  I  and  my  people  are  trying  to  make  peace  for 
the  white  people,  that  we  should  be  thus  rewarded.  I 
can  govern  my  young  men  and  warriors  better  than  the 
Thirteen  Fires  can  theirs." 

This  was  a  magnanimity  worthy  of  a  Christian,  and 
had  it  originated  with  a  Grecian  or  Roman  conqueror,  or 
in  any  other  than  an  Indian  bosom,  would  have  been  writ- 
ten in  letters  of  gold,  and  presented  by  every  mother  to 


6,.     J 


CORNPLANTER, 


233 


I  I 


In  bmlding 
ws,  augers, 
more  com- 
jnd  smiths 
ur  children 
weave." 
irders  were 
id  some,  of 
ide  another 
to  quiet  the 
jured;  thus 
8  of  friend- 

iepart  as  an 
8,  "  three  of 
nt  upon  the 
their  pipes, 
ithin,  one  of 
I  to  light  his 
e  party  was 
leaping  from 

not  plan  re- 
t  white  men 
jtrriors  to  let 
said,  "  It  is 
,ke  peace  for 
ewarded.  I 
tter  than  the 

hristian,  and 
3onqueror,  or 
,ve  been  writ- 
ry  mother  to 


; 


i 


her  son  as  a  worthy  example.  But  how  few  are  there  yet 
that  ever  heard  of  an  Indian  who  thought  of  any  thing 
but  revenge  for  injuries. 

When  Washington  was  about  to  retire  from  the  Pres- 
idency, Cornplanter  made  a  special  visit  to  the  seat  of 
government  to  bid  him  farewell,  and  again  ask  his  atten- 
^  .on  to  the  condition  of  his  people.  After  stating  the 
several  points  which  he  wished  him  to  consider,  he  con- 
cludes :  "  Father,  I  congratulate  you  on  your  intended  re- 
pose from  the  fatigues  and  anxiety  of  mind,  which  are  con- 
stant attendants  on  high  public  stations,  and  hope  that  the 
same  good  Spirit  which  has  so  long  guided  your  steps  as 
a  father  to  a  great  nation,  will  still  continue  to  protect 
you,  and  make  your  private  reflections  as  pleasant  to  your- 
self as  your  public  measures  have  been  useful  to  your 
people." 

This  was  the  last  interview  between  the  two  chiefs  of 
a  widely  diflferent  people,  both  richly  endowed  by  nature, 
to  be  so  variously  favored  by  fortune.  Washington  lived 
but  a  lit*^le  while  longer,  and  went  down  to  the  grave  amid 
the  lamentations  of  a  nation,  with  a  name  on  which  has 
been  best  >wed  the  homage  of  a  world ;  and  Cornplanter 
retired  to  his  secluded  cabin  in  the  forest,  to  live  forty 
years,  devoted  to  humble  efforts  for  the  elevation  of  his 
people ;  to  die  alone,  with  a  name  which  has  been  almost 
forgotten. 

The  remainder  of  his  life  Cornplanter  lived  very 
quietly,  always  on  friendly  terms  with  white  people,  and 
earnestly  engaged  in  promoting  agriculture,  and  all  the 
arts  of  civilization  among  his  people.  He  was  a  profess- 
ing Christian,  and  always  welcomed  the  clergymen  and 
teachers  to  his  humble  abode.  In  1816  he  was  visited 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Alden,  President  of  Alleghany  College,  who 
speaks  with  delight  of  the  improvements  which  had  been 


■'i    ■  'f 


234 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


'     t 


kS;-     t'.  ■    f"™ 

ii- 

l   ■  '■'  ■    '■'■■■' 


■I: 

'] 

:  ':-4  '^ 

u 

■  ■ii^^ 

\ 

r  ■   ■■:> 

I 

made  under  the  foRtering  care  of  the  old  chief, — of  the 
large  fields  of  buckwheat,  corn,  and  oats;  the  great 
number  of  sheep,  oxen,  and  horses  that  seemed  at  home, 
and  perfectly  domesticated  on  Indian  lands.  Gornplanter 
testified  his  joy  at  seeing  Christian  friends,  by  performing 
the  offices  of  servant  himself,  and  going  into  the  field  and 
mowing  the  grass  for  their  horses.  He  was  the  owner  at 
that  time  of  thirteen  hundred  acres  of  land  on  the  banks 
of  the  Alleghany,  and  six  hundred  were  occupied  by 
Indians,  whose  comfortable  dwellings  and  cultivated 
fields  formed  a  thriving  village. 

The  following  is  an  appeal  to  the  Society  of  Friends 
by  Cornplanter,  imploring  their  aid  in  promoting  agri- 
culture and  education  among  his  people. 

"  Brothers  : — The  Seneca  nation  see  that  the  Great 
Spirit  intends  they  should  not  continue  to  live  by  hunt- 
ing, and  they  look  around  on  every  side,  and  inquire  who 
it  is  that  shall  teach  them  what  is  best  for  them  to  do. 
Your  fathers  dealt  honestly  by  our  fathers.  They  have 
engaged  us  to  lemember  it,  and  we  wish  our  children  to 
be  taught  the  same  principles  by  which  our  fathers  were 
guided. 

"  Brothers  : — We  cannot  teach  our  children  what  we 
perceive  their  situation  requires  them  to  know.  We 
have  too  little  wisdom  among  us.  We  wish  them 
to  be  instructed  to  read  and  write,  and  such  other 
things  as  you  teach  your  children — especially  the  love 
of  peace." 

He  died  March  7th,  1836,  and  was  buried  beneath  a 
spreading  tree  in  his  own  field,  but  no  stone  or  monument 
marks  his  grave.  A  century  hence,  when  it  is  too  late,  a 
proud  and  peerless  nation  will  wake  up  to  their  guilt, 
and  their  duty  to  a  peculiar,  if  not  a  Ci^^sen  people : 


cornplanter's  sow. 


235 


if,— of  the 
the  great 
I  at  home, 
/ornplanter 
performiDg 
te  field  and 
le  owner  at 
i  the  banks 
Bcupied  by 
cultivated 

of  Friends 
loting  agri- 
it  the  Great 
VQ  by  hunt- 
inquire  who 
;hem  to  do. 
They  have 
children  to 
Fathers  were 

ren  what  we 

mow.      We 

wish    them 

such    other 

lly  the  love 

d  beneath  a 

r  monument 

is  too  late,  a 

their  guilt, 

sen  people : 


"  But  they  will  all  have  passed  away, 
The  noble  race  and  brave ;  " 

and  then  will  commence  the  lamentations,  that  those  who 
had  it  in  their  power  should  have  looked  so  indiffer- 
ently on  whilst  they  wasted  away. 

Cornplanter  had  a  son,  "a  boy  of  fine  spirit  and 
promise,"  who  was  sent  to  Philadelphia  for  the  benefit  of 
an  English  education,  under  the  care  of  the  Quakers,  who 
placed  him  in  a  suitable  school  and  directed  his  studies. 

He  was  not  only  received  into  good  society,  but  ca- 
ressed. On  one  occasion,  being  at  a  ball,  while  dancing 
with  a  beautiful  girl,  the  jealousy  of  one  of  the  young 
gentlemen  present  was  excited,  and  he  gave  vent  to  his 
vexation  by  muttering  the  dislike  he  felt  at  seeing  the 
young  lady  "  dance  with  a  damned  Indian."  The 
quick  ear  of  young  Henry  caught  the  sound,  and  after 
the  figure  was  ended,  having  invited  the  young  swain  to 
the  head  of  the  stairs,  he  thrust  him  out,  and  gave  him 
a  push  which  sent  him  headlong  down.  "  There,"  said 
he,  "  you  may  now  boast  that  you  have  beer  kicked  down 
stairs  by  a  damned  Indian." 

But  Henry  had  been  too  long  the  wild  boy  of  the 
mountains,  to  be  pleased  with  confinement,  or  bear  pa- 
tiently his  monotonous  exercises.  He  wasted  and  pined 
till  he  became  pale  and  emacrated.  He  was  very  courte- 
ous in  manners,  and  had  the  suavity  peculiar  to  the  forest 
Chieftain.  "My  sister,"  he  would  say, — "my  sister  is 
not  here,  and  there  is  another  who  is  not  with  me."  He 
thirsted  for  the  bright"  waters  of  his  native  valley,  and 
longed  to  breathe  once  more  the  pure  air  of  the  AUe- 
ghanies.  The  crowded  streets  of  the  city  had  no  charms 
for  him.  He  stayed  but  a  few  months,  and  bursting 
from  his  confinement,  bounded  back  with  the  alacrity  of 


236 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


tv     .1''       iA 


^ 


'■r    *: 


a  wounded  deer,  to  the  green  mountain  haunts  of  his 
boyhood,  the  pweet  tones  of  his  sister,  and  the  gentle 
cooings  of  his  forest  dove. 

The  following  year  Mr.   N ,  a  gentleman  from 

Philadelphia,  who  had  known  the  Chief  there,  came  on 
an  errand  of  agency  to  our  country,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  Having  no  acquaintance  here,  and  feeling  a  deep 
interest  in  his  young  friend,  he  penetrated  through  the 
dark  wilds  of  Potts  and  McKean,  and  soon  found  him- 
self at  the  village  of  the  Cornplanter.  Henry  welcomed 
him  cordially,  presenting  him  to  his  father,  his  sister, 
and  his  friends ;  but  there  was  a  sadness  visible  in  his 
countenance,  a  quick  restlessness  in  his  movements,  which 

betrayed  how  deep  were  the  workings  within.    Mr.  N 

then  asked  him  for  the  gentle  dove  he  had  described  to 
him  in  days  gone  by.  "  She  is  gone,"  said  he,  and  led 
him  to  her  grave.  Here,  Harry,  after  the  custom  of 
white  people,  had  planted  flowers,  not  the  forget-me-not, 
nor  the  rose,  nor  the  myrtle,  but  pale  spring  violets,  re- 
freshing them  with  his  tears,  and  breathing  from  this 
hallowed  spot  his  invocations  to  the  Great  Spirit. 

He  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  a  gallant  soldier 
under  General  Porter,  but  very  sorrowful  is  the  story  of 
his  after  life,  and  dark  indeed  was  the  day  of  his  death ; 
but  I  will  not  relate  it,  to  become  an  instrument  of 
universal  accusation  against  his  people,  who  have  been 
too  long  and  too  often  judged  by  individual  instances  of 
degeneracy. 


»  $'■ 


|t  -  ■ . 
4 


■'W|l 


Dts  of  his 
the  gentle 

;man  from 
5,  came  on 
I  has  since 
ling  a  deep 
hrough  the 
found  him- 
y  welcomed 

his  sister, 
sihle  in  his 
lents,  which 

Mr.  N 

iescribed  to 
he,  and  led 
J  custom  of 
irget-me-not, 
r  violets,  re- 
g  from  this 
lirit. 
llant  soldier 

the  story  of 

:  his  death ; 
strument  of 
0  have  been 

instances  of 


CHAPTER  XII. 

REFINEMENT  AND  SENSIBILITY  IN  INDIAN  CHARACTER,  ILLUS- 
TRATED IN  THE  LIFE  OF  LOGAN. 

The  Indian  name  of  Logan  has  scarcely  been  heard  or 
written,  as  the  one  by  which  he  was  familiarly  known 
was  given  him  ir  childhood  by  his  father,  in  memory  of  a 
dear  friend,  a  white  man,  Oharles  Logan.  His  Indian 
name  was  Tal-ga-yee-ia,  aad  his  father  was  a  Cajuga 
Chief,  whose  house  was  ou  the  boi  lers  of  Cayuga  Lake. 

There  has  been  much  dispute  :ol;Out  the  events  of  Lo- 
gan's life,  and  the  speech  which  has  re^^.dered  his  name 
immortal,  has  been  ascr'.bod  to  others — even  to  a  white 
man.  But  Mr.  JeflFersoii,  who  first  gave  publicity  to  this 
proof  of  his  eloquence,  and  to  his  sorrows,  has  taken 
special  pains  to  verify  his  iiarrative,  and  proved  that  the 
words  which  have  thrilled  a  million  of  heart-strings,  were 
uttered  by  Logan,  and  by  no  other. 

He  inherited  his  gifts  and  his  noble  nature  from  his 
father,  who  was  ever  the  friend  of  peace,  and  who  was  ever 
the  white  man's  friend.  His  wigwam  was  known  far  and 
near,  as  the  abode  of  hospitality,  and  friendship,  and  kind- 
ness. It  WLf  }•  wigwam,  but  there  was  something  of  the 
halo  about  it  which  invested  a  feudal  castle,  in  the  days 
of  English  chivalry  and  romance.  Those  who  gathered 
around  the  cordial  fire,  which  was  lighted  for  every  stran- 
ger, by  the  forest  chieftain,  felt  the  independence  which 
the  lone  traveller  did  in  some  old  baronial  hall ;  and  he 


f.  .  *^J 


238 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


who  presided  at  the  feast,  to  which  all  were  welcome,  was 
not  less  noble,  or  less  dignified  than  an  English  lord. 
Had  there  been  a  pen  to  record  his  hospitality  and  table 
talk,  there  would  most  probably  have  been  seen  in  it  more 
of  wisdom  than  entered  into  the  discourse  of  many  a 
prince  or  potentate.  But  alas  !  for  forest  eloquence,  it  was 
wafted  only  by  the  breeze,  and  its  echoes  died  away  in  the 
forest, 

Logan  moved  in  early  life  to  the  banks  of  the  Juniata, 
which  is  a  beautiful  river,  flowing  through  a  wild  romantic 
country,  watered  also  by  the  Susquehanna.  In  a  pleasant 
valley  he  built  his  cabin,  and  married  a  Shawnee  wife. 
Thus  he  became  identified  with  the  Shawnese  and  Dela- 
wares,  though  belonging  to  the  Six  Nations.  And  it  was 
thus  that  he  became  the  victim  of  those  lawless  marauders, 
who  believed  Indians  every  where  lawful  prey,  when  they 
could  slaughter  them  with  impunity. 

Logan  had  listened  in  boyhood  to  the  instructions  of 
the  Moravian  missionaries,  and  their  gentle  manners  and 
soothing  words,  had  probably  influenced  his  character. 
Whether  he  was  a  Christian,  I  know  not ;  but  there  are 
many  who  bear  the  name,  in  whom  there  is  far  less  exem- 
plification of  Christian  principle.  There  was  about  him  a 
quiet  and  softened  dignity,  a  refinement  of  sentiment  and 
delicacy  of  feeling,  which  characterizes  none  but  the  lofty, 
and  exhales  from  none  but  the  pure.  His  house,  like  his 
father's,  was  the  Indian's  and  the  white  man's  home,  the 
dwelling  place  of  love.  Alas  !  that  the  milk  of  human  kind- 
ness in  his  bosom,  should  ever  have  been  turned  to  gall, 
by  bitter  and  corroding  wrongs.  In  his  childhood,  a  little 
cousin  had  been  taken  captive  by  white  men,  under  aggra- 
vating circumstances,  but  for  this  he  did  not  become  the 
white  man's  foe.  "  Forgive  and  forgot,"  was  his  motto,  in 
all  tbinga  that  could  be  forgiven  and  forgotten ;  and  he 


i 


li 


ilcome,  was 
iglish  lord. 
J  and  table 
1  in  it  more 
of  many  a 
lence,  it  was 
away  in  the 

the  Juniata, 
'ild  romantic 
[n  a  pleasant 
lawnee  wife. 
ie  and  Dela- 
And  it  was 
58  marauders, 
y,  when  they 

structions  of 
manners  and 
lis  character, 
but  there  are 
'ar  less  exem- 
i  about  him  a 
sentiment  and 
but  the  lofty, 
lOUse,  like  his 
n's  home,  the 
»f  human  kind- 
irncd  to  gall, 
dhood,  a  little 
,  under  aggra 
)t  become  the 
3  his  motto,  in 
otten;  and  be 


LOGAN. 


239 


lived  to  be  an  aged  man,  before  vengeance  took  possession 
of  his  soul. 

In  all  the  country  where  he  dwelt  he  was  known,  and 
to  every  cottage  Logan  was  welcome ;  terror  did  not  creep 
into  the  heart  of  woman,  nor  fear  fall  upon  the  little  child, 
when  his  footsteps  were  heard  at  their  doors.  And  this, 
as  was  afterwards  proved,  was  not  because  he  had  not  all 
the  traits  which  make  a  brave  warrior,  but  from  a  settled 
principle  that  all  men  were  brothers,  and  should  love  one 
another. 

He  set  forth  at  one  time  on  a  hunting  expedition,  and 
was  alone  in  the  forest.  Two  white  hunters  were  engaged 
in  the  same  sport,  and  having  killed  a  bear  in  a  wild  gorge, 
were  about  to  rest  beside  a  bubbling  spring,  when  they 
saw  an  Indian  form  reflected  in  the  water.  They  sprang 
to  their  feet  and  grasped  their  rifles,  but  the  Indian  bent 
forward  and  struck  the  rifles  from  their  hands,  and  spilt 
the  powder  from  their  flasks.  Then  stretching  forth  his 
open  palm  in  token  of  friendship,  he  seated  himself  beside 
them  and  won  his  way  to  their  hearts.  For  a  week  they 
roamed  together,  hunting  and  fishing  by  day,  and  sleeping 
by  the  same  fire  at  night.  It  was  Logan,  and  henceforth 
their  brother.  He  pursued  his  way  over  the  Alleghanies, 
and  they  returned  to  their  homes,  never  again  to  point 
the  gun  at  an  Indian's  heart. 

Some  white  men  on  a  journey  stopped  at  his  cabin  to 
rest.  For  amusement  a  shooting  match  was  proposed,  at 
which  the  price  was  to  be  a  dollar  a  shot.  During  the 
sport  Logan  lobt  five  shots,  and  when  they  had  finished, 
he  entered  his  lodge  and  brought  five  deer-skins  for  the 
redemption  of  his  forfeit,  as  a  dollar  a  skin  was  the  estab- 
lished price  in  the  market,  and  the  rod  man's  money.  But 
his  guests  refused  to  take  them,  saying  they  had  only  been 
shooting  for  sport,  and  wished  no  forfeit.     But  the  honor- 


m  I 


240 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


SM^ 


U 


able  Indian  would  take  no  denial,  replying,  "  If  you  had 
lost  the  shots  I  should  have  taken  your  dollars,  but  as  I 
have  lost,  take  my  skins." 

Another  time  he  wished  to  buy  grain,  and  took  his 
skins  to  a  tailor,  who  adulterated  the  wheat,  thinking  tae 
Indian  would  not  know.  But  the  miller  informed  him, 
and  advised  him  to  apply  to  a  magistrate  for  redress.  He 
went  to  a  Mr.  Brown,  who  kindly  saw  that  his  loss  was 
made  up,  for  Logan  came  often  to  his  house,  and  he  knew 
his  noble  heart  and  grieved  to  see  him  wronged.  As  he 
was  waiting  the  decision  of  the  magistrate,  he  played  with 
a  little  girl,  who  was  just  trying  to  walk,  and  the  mother 
remarked  that  she  needed  some  shoes,  which  she  was  not 
able  to  purchase  for  her. 

The  child  was  very  fond  of  Logan,  and  loved  to  sit 
upon  his  knee,  and  when  he  went  away  was  ready  to  go 
too.  He  asked  the  mother  if  he  might  take  her  to  his 
cabin  for  the  day,  and  she,  knowing  well  the  attention 
which  would  be  bestowed  upon  her  in  the  Indian's  lodge, 
consented.  Towards  night  there  was  some  anxiety  about 
the  little  one,  but  the  shades  of  evening  had  scarcely  be- 
gun to  deepen,  when  Logan  was  seen  wending  his  way  to 
the  cottage  with  his  precious  charge ;  and  when  he  placed 
her  in  her  mother's  arms,  she  saw  upon  her  feet  a  tiny 
pair  of  moccasins,  neatly  wrought,  that  his  own  hands  had 
made.  Was  this  not  a  delicate  way  of  showing  gratitude), 
and  expressing  friendship  ?  Was  it  a  rudo  and  savage 
nature  that  prompted  this  attention  to  a  little  child,  to 
make  glad  u  mother's  heart  ?  Not  all  the  refined  teach- 
ings of  civilization  could  have  invented  a  more  beautiful 
tribute  of  sympathy  and  grateful  affection. 

Logan  was  never  tempted  by  friend  or  foe  to  touch  the 
firewater  to  his  lips,  till  after  wrongs  kindled  revenge  in 
his  soul. 


LOGAN'S    WRONGS. 


241 


'  you 


had 


but  as  I 

I  took  his 
linking  tae 
rmed  Mm, 
iress.     He 
is  loss  was 
ad  he  knew 
jd.     As  he 
played  with 
the  mother 
she  was  not 

loved  to  sit 
ready  to  go 
B  her  to  his 
iie  attention 
iian's  lodge, 
nxiety  about 
scarcely  be- 
g  his  way  to 
en  he  placed 
feet  a  tiny 
m  hands  had 
ng  gratitude;, 
.  and  savage 
ittlo  child,  to 
•cfined  tcach- 
loro  beautiful 

to  touch  the 
ed  revenge  in 


1 


He  adopted  few  of  the  customs,  and  rejected  all  the 
vices  of  civilization.  This  dignity  and  politeness  were 
Indian  characteristics,  and  are  found  universally  among 
hJs  people. 

But  in  an  evil  day  the  enemy  found  his  way  to  the 
peaceful  cabin  in  the  forest,  and  darkness  shrouded  all 
the  remainder  of  the  good  man's  life. 

Had  Logan  remained  farther  north,  and  preserved  his 
identity  with  the  Six  Nations,  he  would  probably  have  been 
spared  the  woes  which  fell  so  thickly  upon  him.  The 
Iroquois  were  still  formidable,  and  neither  armies  nor  in- 
dividuals ventured  to  insult  them  without  provocation. 
If  it  had  been  known  that  he  was  a  Sacheij^  and  one  of 
the  chief  men  of  his  tribe,  he  would  have  been  left  unmo- 
lested. But  the  sin  would  have  been  as  great  of  desolat- 
ing a  home,  the  inmates  of  which  were  peaceful  unoflFend- 
ing  women  and  children. 

A  little  company  of  military  men  were  on  their  way  to 
the  west,  and  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  Logan's  cabin. 
Not  by  the  authority  of  their  captain,  but  unknown  to 
him,  two  or  three  set  off  in  the  night  to  inflict  any  injury 
which  might  be  in  their  power  upon  the  Indians  they  had 
heard  were  near.  The  husband  and  father  was  absent, 
but  they  lured  one  brother  into  the  forest,  and  murdered 
him  in  cold  blood,  and  then  returned  to  destroy  another 
as  cruelly,  and  then  shot  the  mother  and  little  ones,  leav- 
ing all  upon  the  floor  weltering  in  blood.  Logan  returned 
to  find  his  cabin  tenanted  only  by  the  dead,  and  vengeance 
for  the  first  time  was  kindled  in  his  bosom,  and  burned 
like  a  raging  flame  in  his  soul.  Now  he  became  the  white 
man's  foe,  and  incited  every  son  of  the  forest  to  slay 
without  mercy  their  common  enemy.  Thu,'  commenced 
the  long  and  frightful  Indian  war  which  filled  the  whole 
land  with  terror,  and  for  ten  yean  stained  our  historioal 
11 


H 

i     'f 

p 

1    ;| 

■  / 

'■     1 

1' 

ii-rf 

4 

i": 

" 

■^ 

I 

if 


242 


THE  IROQUOIS. 


reoords  with  Indian  atrocities,  unparalleled  in  our  colo- 
nial or  national  experience.  The  quiet  peaceful  homes  of 
white  men  were  invaded,  and  women  and  children  either 
killed  or  carried  away  captive  ;  but  then  it  was  not  known 
why  these  outrages  were  committed.  They  were  ascribed 
to  Indian  love  of  war,  a  i  carnage,  and  bloodshed ;  but 
wherever  Indian  cruelty  may  be  traced,  it  will  be  found  to 
have  been  preceded  by  acts  more  cruel  and  heartless  on 
the  part  of  white  men 

Stranger, — there  are  who  think  and  write 
The  Indian's  soul  untouched  with  light, 
And  that  to  him  belongs  the  guilt 
For  all  th<^  blood  his  hand  hath  spilt  I 
Like  nune,  his  friendly  homes  among, 
They  would  have  known  God  never  made, 
A  heart  all  darkness,  and  how  long 
The  Indian  bore  aggressive  wrong. 
Old  Logan  was  the  white  man's  friend ; 
But  injuries  forced  his  love  to  end ; 
Of  children,  wife,  and  kindred  shorn, 
None  left  for  him  to  joy  or  mourn, 
lie  roso  in  calm,  vindictive  ire, 
Beside  his  nation's  council  fire, 
And  bade  them,  by  their  fathers  slain, 
No  more  in  voiceless  peace  remain, 
But  lift  the  brand,  and  battle  cry, 
For  vengeance,  if  not  victory ! 

"  Welcome,  Englishmen  !  welcome,  lilnglishmon  I " 
was  the  pleasant  greeting  our  fathers  heard  on  the  shores 
of  New  England  ;  and  a  similar  hospitality  was  extended 
to  all  who  came,  by  this  unsuspicious  and  trustiDg  people. 

In  1774,  a  deputation  was  sent  to  treat  with  the 
Sachems  and  chiefs,  and  to  endeavor  to  appease  their 
revenge.  But  Logan  was  a  long  time  in  yieldiag.  No 
persuasion  could  induce  him  to  attend  a  council  that  was 


VI 


SPEECH   OF   LOGAN. 


243 


n  our  colo- 
q1  homes  of 
ildren  either 
a  not  known 
ere  ascribed 
jdshed;  but 
be  found  to 
heartless  on 


Inglishmon  1 " 
on  the  shores 
was  extended 
abting  people, 
eat  with  the 
appease  their 
rielding.  No 
inoil  that  was 


to  treat  of  peace.  He  would  not  talk  with  white  men  of 
peace.  It  was  useless  to  contend  longer,  ho  knew — they 
might  as  well  submit.  There  was  no  hope  for  the  Indian 
but  to  flee  before  the  armed  legions  which  were  pursuing 
them,  but  he  would  never  be  their  friend. 

At  length  Gen.  Gleson,  who  was  one  of  the  deputation, 
followed  him  into  the  depths  of  the  forest ;  and  there, 
seated  upon  a  fallen  tree,  with  Cornstalk,  the  venerable 
Shawnee  chief  by  his  side,  he  was  induced  to  sign  the 
treaty  which  all  the  other  Sachems  had  signed  before 
him,  but  not  till  he  had  repeated  the  heart-rending  story 
of  his  wrongs,  and  the  wrongs  of  his  people.  It  was  like 
wringing  out  his  heart's  blood  to  see  them  thus  wasting 
away.  They  fell  in  thousands  before  the  sword,  and  tens 
of  thousands  before  the  still  more  desolating  scourge  of 
the  fire-water  ;  and  while  he  talked,  the  tears  coursed 
down  his  furrowed  cheeks,  and  his  keen  sensibilities  were 
quickened  to  the  intensest  suflFering.  Here  it  was  that 
he  made  the  speech  which  is  familiar  to  every  English 
tongue. 

The  name  of  Cresap  appears  in  the  speech,  as  Logan 
thought  he  was  with  the  men  at  the  time  of  the  murders. 
The  details  of  the  transaction  vary  in  almost  every  account 
given  of  them,  but  as  I  have  no  room  for  discussions,  I  give 
the  best  authenticated  narrative,  and  transcribe  the  speech 
as  it  first  appeared  in  "  Jefferson's  Notes  on  Virginia," 
in  which  he  challenges  all  the  authors  of  antiquity  to  pro- 
duce any  tulng  superior. 

SPEECH    OF    LOGAN. 

"  I  appeal  to  any  white  man  to  say,  if  ever  he  entered 
Logan's  cabin  hungry,  and  he  gave  him  no  meat ;  if  ever 
he  came  cold  and  naked,  and  ho  clothed  him  not.    During 


m 


r-. 


'I, 


^ 

.-i-' 


244 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


,»■■■ 


the  course  of  the  last  long  and  bloody  war,  Logan  re- 
mained in  his  cabin,  an  advocate  for  peace.  Such  was 
my  love  for  the  whites,  that  my  countrymen  pointed  as 
they  passed,  and  said,  '  Logan  is  the  friend  of  white  men.' 
Col.  Cresap,  the  last  spring,  in  cold  blood,  and  unpro- 
voked, murdered  all  the  relations  of  Logan,  not  even 
sparing  my  women  and  childrtn.  There  runs  not  a  drop 
of  my  blood  in  any  living  croau  re.  This  called  on  me 
for  revenge,  i  have  sorgiit  it.  1  have  killed  many.  I 
have  fully  gluttei  my  vengeance.  For  my  country  I  rc- 
joi  ;e  at  the  beams  of  peace.  But  do  not  harbor  a  thought 
that  mine  is  the  joy  of  fear.  Lccan  never  fell  fear.  He 
will  not  turn  on  his  heel  to  save  his  life.  Who  is  there 
to  mourn  fo*  Logan?     '^ot  one." 

Never  agaiu  did  Logan  possess  a  home.  He  wandered 
about  for  many  years  from  settlement  to  settlement,  rest- 
less, moody,  and  unhappy,  and  finally  laid  himself  down 
in  the  forest  to  die.  "  There  were  none  to  mor^rn  for 
Logan;  "  but  very  truly  Jefferson  remarks,  "his  telents 
and  misfortuTies  have  attached  to  him  the  respect  and 
commiseration  of  a  world." 


Logan  re- 
Such  was 

pointed  as 
white  men.' 

and  unpro- 
1,  not  even 
}  not  a  drop 
ailed  on  me 
id  many.  I 
ountry  I  rc- 
or  a  thought 
U  fear.  Ho 
Jho  is  there 

3e  wandered 
lement,  rest- 
imself  down 
I  mov^rn  for 
"  hia  ti'lents 
respect  and 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE    DARKEST    PAGE    OF    INDIAN    HISTORY. 

The  history  of  Treaties  k  by  far  the  darkest  of  all  the 
pages  of  Indian  history.  "War  and  bloodshed  are  ter- 
rible,— terrible  indeed ;  the  stories  of  massacres  chill  the 
blood  in  our  veins ;  and  the  bitter  strife  of  war  is  revolt- 
ing to  all  the  finer  feelings  of  our  nature.  But  there  has 
been  a  far  more  bitter  strife  of  treaties,  at  which  the 
heart  bleeds,  and  the  spirit  moans. 

Wheu  the  Six  Nations  were  fairly  subdued,  and  settled 
on  the  free  reservations  which  were  left  to  them  in  the 
western  part  of  New  York,  if  they  could  have  remained 
undisturbed,  and  experienced  no  more  wrong  or  dishonor, 
they  would  soon  have  adopted  the  arts  of  civilization ; 
and,  through  the  instructions  of  the  missionaries,  have 
become  a  Christian  people. 

But  the  echo  of  the  warwhoop  and  the  booming  cannon 
had  no  sooner  died  away,  than  there  came  among  them  an 
army  of  serpents  in  human  form,  wearing  the  semblance 
of  angels  of  light.  These  were  land  speculators ;  and 
there  is  no  species  of  bribery  or  corruption  within  the 
power  of  man  to  which  they  did  not  resort,  in  Oi  uer  to 
drive  the  Indians  entirely  from  our  borders. 

By  this  means  they  were  kept  in  a  constantly  unset- 
tled state,  so  that  for  many  years  the  labors  of  the  mis- 
sionaries seemed  utterly  in  vain.      Some  of  the  chiefs 


246 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


L  J      ■ ".  ■ 


m 


would  now  and  then  yield  to  bribery,  and  some  to  decep- 
tion, and  conclude  to  give  up  all  they  possessed,  and 
remove  beyond  the  Mississippi.  And,  as  late  as  18v6, 
an  emigration  party  was  formed,  and  more  than  a  hundred 
departed  to  the  western  wilds,  where  more  than  half  of 
them  perished  before  the  end  of  a  year. 

By  a  gross  and  wicked  fraud,  the  BuflFalo  reservation 
was  finally  obtained,  so  that  the  Indians  were  all  obliged 
to  move  from  their  comfortable  homes  and  well-tilled 
fields,  and  commence  anew  in  the  forests  to  fell  trees,  and 
plough,  and  plant,  and  sow.  By  a  similar  fraud,  the 
Tonawanda  reservation  was  claimed  ;  but  the  chiefs  and 
people  would  not  remove,  saying  the  treaty  had  never 
been  signed  by  any  member  of  those  who  had  the  power 
to  make  contracts,  and  they  had  no  desire  to  part  with 
another  acre  of  their  lands  to  white  men.  So  the  case  is 
still  in  the  courts,  where  thousands  cf  dollars  have  been 
spent  in  an  oflfensive  and  defensive  war  of  words  and 
quibbles.  But  the  Indians  now  have  lawyers  among 
themselves,  and  firm  friends  and  able  counsellors  among 
white  people,  and  it  is  hoped  the  right  will  yet  prevail. 

During  these  troublous  times  there  were  many  aflect- 
ing  appeals  made  to  societies  and  the  Government,  which, 
one  would  think,  might  melt  hearts  of  stone,  and  prove, 
too,  that  eloquence  did  not  die  with  Bed  Jacket  or  Corn- 
planter.  ,^ 

These  troubl-s,  too,  rallied  around  them  many  friends, 
especially  among  the  Quakers,  and  awakened  sympathy 
and  renewed  eflfort  in  their  behalf  A  few  extracts  from 
letters,  written  by  those  who  defended  them  in  the  hour 
of  their  calamity,  and  from  the  speeches  of  some  of  their 
Chiefs,  a  few  of  ^7hom  are  still  living,  will  give  some  idea 
of  what  the  Indian  is  in  a  civilized  state,  when  literally 
seated  by  his  fireside. 


REPORT    UPON    THE   INDIANS. 


247 


le  to  decep- 
sessed,  and 
te  as  18'.' 6, 
n  a  hundred 
lan  half  of 

reservation 
)  all  obliged 
I  well-tilled 
ill  trees,  and 
•  fraud,  the 
e  chiefs  and 
y  had  never 
i  the  power 
,0  part  with 

0  the  case  is 
rs  have  been 
'  words  and 
ryers  among 
3llors  among 
3t  prevail, 
many  aflfect- 
traent,  which, 

,  and  provCj 
)ket  or  Corn- 

nany  friends, 
ed  sympathy 
extracts  firom 

1  in  the  hour 
some  of  their 
ive  some  idea 
rhen  literally 


Extract  from  a  Keport,  made  by  a  deputation  of 
Friends,  to  investigate  the  true  nature  of  the  differences 
between  the  land  speculators  and  the  Indians : — 

"  It  has  been  common  for  those  who  would  deprive 
the  Indians  of  their  lands,  first  to  describe  them  as  igno- 
rant, or  stupid,  or  savage ;  and  then,  '  for  such  worthy 
cause,  to  deem  them  as  their  lawful  prey,'  to  put  them 
out  of  the  pale  of  civilization,  and  then  shut  upon  them 
the  gate  of  mercy. 

"  But  it  is  not  true,  that  these  remnants  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions are  either  barbarous  or  vicious.  On  the  contrary, 
they  are  an  innocent  and  improving  people.  Feeling  their 
own  weakness  they  have  been  forced  to  yield  to  oppression 
and  injury ;  but  they  are  neither  quarrelsome  nor  vindic- 
tive. They  are  the  remnant  of  a  bold,  warlike,  and  highly 
gifted  race ;  fallen  indeed  from  the  dizzy  height  of  a  tre- 
mendous political  and  physical  power,  but  bearing  that 
fall  with  patience  and  dignity  ;  inspiring  respect,  and  ren- 
dering them  objects  of  intense  interest  to  the  philanthro- 
pist and  philosopher. 

"  These  New  York  Indians,  like  all  other  communities 
of  mankind,  present  great  varieties  of  character  and 
grades  of  intellect,  but  as  a  people,  perhaps  none  of  the 
aborigines  of  North  America  have  equalled  them  in  all 
the  mamfestations  of  mental  power.  They  have  not  had 
the  use  of  letters  to  store  their  minds  with  knowledge,  or 
to  record  their  own  achievements ;  yet  we  know  that  they 
have  had  many  great  and  talented  men  among  them,  who, 
making  a  very  moderate  allowance  for  the  want  of  educa- 
tion, would  not  suffer  by  comparison  with  the  greatest  of 
European  competitors.  They  have  from  the  earliest  times 
been  considered  a  very  extraordinary  race,  distinguished 
from  all  the  surrounding  nations  by  their  capacity  for  ne- 


I   -i 


248 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


p* 


1 1 » 

1  •1!  B 

i'T'B 

gotiation,  eloquence,  and  war.  Remarkable  for  the  love 
of  liberty,  they  scorned  submission  to  foreign  control. 
Baron  La  Houtan  says  of  them,  '  They  laugh  at  the 
menaces  of  kings  and  governors,  for  they  have  no  idea  of 
dependence — the  very  word  to  them  is  insupportable. 
They  look  upon  themselves  as  sovereigns,  accountable  to 
none  but  God,  whom  they  call  the  Great  Spirit,' 

"  De  Witt  Clinton  in  his  history  of  the  Six  Nations  in- 
forms us,  that  they  held  supremacy  over  a  country  of 
amazing  extent  and  fertility,  inhabited  by  warlike  and 
numerous  nations,  which  must  have  been  the  result  of 
unity  of  design  and  system  of  action,  proceeding  from  a 
wise  and  energetic  policy,  continued  for  a  long  course  of 
time.  That  in  eloquence  and  dignity,  and  in  all  the  cha- 
racteristics of  personal  policy,  they  surpass  an  assembly 
of  feudal  barons. 

"  Their  territory  was  estimated  at  1,200  miles  long  by 
700  broad,  including  the  great  lakes  or  inland  seas  which 
bound  our  possessions  to  the  north.  Among  their  orators 
they  had  a  Garangula,  a  Cornplanter,  a  Red  Jacket,  and 
a  Big  Kettle,  of  whom  an  elegant  writer  has  said,  '  they 
were  men  whose  majesty  of  mind  shone  with  a  lustre  that 
no  belittling  appellations  could  bedim.'  President  Jeffer- 
son says,  '  I  may  challenge  the  whole  orations  of  Demos- 
thenes and  Cicero,  and  of  any  more  eminent  orator,  if 
Europe  lias  furnished  more  eminent,  to  produce  a  single 
passage  superior  to  the  speech  of  Logan ;  yet  this  Logan 
was  the  son  of  a  Cayuga  chief,  a  Sachem  of  the  New  York 
Indians.' 

"  When  the  news  spread  among  them  that  the  treaty 
was  signed,  and  their  land  sold,  there  was  unutterable 
sorrow.  To  the  poor  Senecas  it  was  *  a  day  of  darkness 
and  of  gloominess,  of  clouds  and  of  thick  darkness,' 
through  which   a  ray  of  gladness  could  not  penetrate. 


■-'i 


AFFEAL    OF    THE   INDIANS. 


249 


r  the  love 
n  control, 
gh  at  the 
no  idea  of 
ipportable. 
untable  tu 

Nations  in- 
ountry  of 
arlike  and 

result  of 
ng  from  a 

course  of 
11  the  cha- 

assembly 

les  long  by 
seas  which 
leir  orators 
racket,  and 
said,  '  they 
lustre  that 
lent  Jeffer- 
of  Demos- 
orator,  if 
36  a  single 
this  Logan 
I  New  York 

t  the  treaty 

mutterable 

)f  darkness 

darkness,' 

penetrate. 


Consternation  and  gloom  covered  their  settlements.  Their 
women  were  seen  on  all  sides  weeping  in  their  houses — 
along  their  roads — as  they  passed  to  their  occupations, 
and  in  the  fields  whilst  engaged  in  their  labors.  One  of 
their  chiefs,  in  a  speech  on  the  occasion  said,  '  It  seems 
as  if  we  should  be  worn  down.  When  we  see  our  fields 
covered  with  grain,  and  our  orchards  loaded  with  fruit, 
it  only  increases  our  sorrows.'  The  settled  and  expres- 
sive gloom  that  was  manifested  upon  their  countenances 
and  deportment  attested  the  reality  of  their  sorrows. 

"  The  cruelty  of  the  attempt  to  drive  the  Indians  away 
at  this  time  was  enhanced  by  the  consideration  that  with- 
in the  last  half  century,  under  the  care  of  Friends,  they 
had  made  great  advances  in  civilization.  They  had  good 
houses,  barns,  horses,  wagons,  horned  cattle,  sheep,  swine, 
and  farming  utensils.  They  had  places  of  worship  and 
schools,  many  of  them  could  read  and  write,  and  had  books 
and  private  libraries.  They  had  good  farms,  and  some 
skill  in  agriculture.  It  would  be  far  less  cruel  to  drive 
the  surrounding  white  population  into  the  deserts  beyond 
the  Missouri,  than  to  send  there  the  Seneca  Indians.  The 
former  would  soon  gather  around  them  all  the  comforts 
of  life — the  latter  would  soon  scatter,  or  perish  for  ever." 

The  following  is  a  communication  to  the  Society  of 
Friends  at  Baltimore,  from  twenty  Chiefs  of  the  Seneca 
Nation,  making  known  their  troubles. 

Cattaraugus  in  Council,  Oct.  5,  1845. 
To  THE    CoMMITfEE  OF  FrIENDS, 

"  Brothers  :— We  are  informed  you  are  soon  to  hold 
a  great  Council  in  Baltimore,  on  the  subject  of  our  afiairs. 
We  pray  the  Great  Spirit  may  strengthen  you,  and  give  you 
wisdom  and  diFCct  you  aright  in  all  your  deliberations. 
11* 


r  1 


250 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


"  Brothers  : — We  know  you  love  us ;  the  Great  Spirit 
has  taught  you  to  do  so.  Your  ears  have  been  open  to 
hear  our  cries,  and  yoj^i:  hearts  inclined  to  help  us  in  our 
distress.  We  cannot  reward  you ;  we  have  nothing  to 
give  you  in  return  but  our  love  and  gratitude.  This  you 
have  full  and  complete. 

"  Brothers  : — When  your  fathers  were  weak  and  ours 
were  strong,  the  Great  Spirit  led  them  to  believe  you 
were  their  friends ;  they  helped  you  in  your  childlike  con- 
dition. Things  have  changed  !  You  have  become  great 
and  strong,  and  we  poor  and  weak.  You  are  now  paying 
us  for  what  our  fathers  have  done. 

"  Brothers  : — Our  troubles  are  great  indeed.  This 
you  are  sensible  of,  and  have  done  much  to  relieve  us  in 
our  distress ;  but  the  chains  of  the  white  men  have  grown, 
and  continue  to  grow  tight  upon  us  at  the  loss  and  expense 
of  our  substance.  They  multiply,  and  become  too  heavy 
for  us  to  endure. 

"  Brothers  : — We  have  none  (on  earth)  to  look  to  for 
aid  and  protection,  but  you.  When  you  forsake  us,  all  is 
lost.  Our  wives  and  daughters  wet  their  pillows  with 
their  tears,  and  pray  the  Great  Spirit  to  keep  your  ears 
open  that  you  may  hear  4heir  cries. 

"  Brothers  : — We  have  but  little  to  say ;  our  mouths 
are  almost  closed.     Our  hopes  are  in  you.     Farewell." 

Extract  from  an  address  to  the  Committee  of  the 
Four  Yearly  Meetings  of  Friends  of  New  York,  Phila- 
delphia, Baltimore  and  Genesee,  by  several  Indian 
Chiefs. 


V. 

■'*■• 


*'  When  we  turn  our  faces  backward,  and  look  over  the 
histories  of  the  past,  we  find  that  more  than  fifty  winters 
have  gone  by  since  the  Iroquois,  or  Six  Nations,  first  se* 


SOCIETY    OF   FRIENDS. 


251 


eat  Spirit 
I  open  to 
us  in  our 
othing  to 
This  you 

c  and  ours 
lieve  you 
dlike  con- 
ome  great 
ow  paying 

led.  This 
ieve  us  in 
ive  grown, 
d  expense 
too  heavy 

look  to  for 
e  us,  all  is 
Hows  with 
your  ears 

ur  mouths 
re  well." 

}ee  of  the 
)rk,  Phila- 
il    Indian 


k  over  the 
ty  winters 
IS,  first  se- 


lected the  Society  of  Friends  as  their  friends^  upon  whom 
they  could  repose  confidence  without  fear  of  being  be- 
trayed. 

''  The  selection  was  made  from  the  sects  and  denomi- 
nations of  those  who  styled  themselves  Christians,  at  the 
time  when  war  had  diminished  the  members  of  the  Iroquois 
braves — when  the  Iroquois  bowstring  had  been  broken — 
when  his  council  fires  were  nearly  put  out  by  the  blood  of 
his  people,  and  the  loud  thundering  voices  of  the  big  iron 
guns  of  the  pale  faces  caused  the  ground  to  tremble  beneath 
his  feet,  and  his  council  house  to  shake  to  its  very  foun- 
dation— when  oppression  crushed  the  Iroquois,  and  cruelty 
made  his  heart  bleed — when  murder  and  robbery  com- 
mitted upon  the  red  man,  brought  bounty  to  the  spoiler 
committing  the  foul  deed, — when  the  pale-faces,  like 
hungry  hounds,  chased  the  red  man  from  his  hunting 
grounds. 

"  It  was  then  that  the  red  man's  sun  was  darkened,  and 
the  Great  Spirit  had  drawn  his  sable  garment  before  its 
shining  face,  and  left  his  red  children  to  roam  in  gloom 
and  uncertainty.  In  looking  round,  the  Iroquois  saw 
none  to  assist  him  in  his  struggles  for  liberty,  his  country, 
and  his  firesides, — he  found  no  sympathy  from  the  pale- 
faced  Christians,  save  from  the  Society  of  Friends,  who, 
with  the  true  principle  of  the  spirit  of  Christianity 
implanted  in  their  breast,  guided  by  the  dictation  of  the 
Good  Spirit,  and  following  the  counsel  and  mandates  of 
Him  who  never  errs,  came  to  our  relief;  not  with 
powder,  bullets,  or  arms,  but  with  sympathy  in  their 
bosoms,  pity  in  their  hearts,  and  friendship  in  their  hands ; 
and  our  tradition  informs  us,  that  since  the  time  this 
alliance  was  established  between  the  Society  of  Friends 
and  our  people ;  nothing  has  occurred  to  mar  our  mutual 


If  i 
1^ 


252 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


li': 


anderstand'ng,  or  tarnish  the  chain  of  friendship   that 
bound  us  together. 

"  Brothers  : — We  hope  that  you  may  teach  your  chil- 
dren to  love  and  pity  the  red  man ;  so  that  when  the 
Master  of  life  and  light  shall  call  you  hence,  your  red  bro- 
thers may  still  have  friends  like  you,  and  the  good  under- 
standing now  existing  between  us,  be  for  ever  perpetuated 
and  cherished  between  your  posterity  and  ours.  For  the 
services  you  have  rendered  us,  accept  the  gratitude  of  an 
injured  and  oppressed  race,  and  may  the  Great  Spirit 
watch  over  and  protect  you." 

There  were  not  at  any  time  more  than  a  fifteenth  part 
of  the  whole  nation  in  favor  of  removal,  and  the  consent 
of  those  few  was  obtained  by  misrepresentation  and 
bribery,  for  which  sums  were  paid  in  different  ways  and 
at  different  times  to  the  amount  of  $32,000.  And  yet  at 
one  time  every  rood  of  land  was  ceded,  and  the  process 
of  removal  commenced.  It  is  due  to  the  Society  of 
Friends  to  state,  that  it  was  through  their  persevering 
instrumentality  that  this  great  calamity  was  averted. 

Among  the  most  noble  and  venerable  of  the  Seneca 
Chiefs  was 

Biu  Kettle. 

In  his  bosom  glowed  the  loftiest  patriotism,  and  on  his 
brow  beamed  the  purest  philanthropy.  To  him  the  sor- 
rows of  his  people  were  the  seeds  of  death ;  they  ate  into 
his  heart,  and  drank  his  life-blood.  He  mourned  over 
their  desolation  and  wept  over  their  sins. 

"  Oh,  IS  there  nothing  we  can  do  ?  "  said  he  one  morn- 
ing to  Mr.  Wright,  the  missionary,  who  remained  among 
them  when  there  was  little  he  could  do  but  encourage 
them  to  resist  unto  the  end,  and  pray  that  their  strength 
might  not  fail  and   wlio  stood  by  theni,  ready  for  any 


SPEECH    OF    BIG   KETTLE. 


253 


Iship   that 

.  your  chil- 
when  the. 
ir  red  bro- 
)od  under- 
Brpetuated 
For  the 
tude  of  an 
■eat  Spirit 

eenth  part 
le  consent 
ation  and 
wavs  and 
Vnd  yet  at 
iie  process 
Society  of 
ersevering 
3rted. 
he  Seneca 


nd  on  his 
n  the  sor- 
sy  ate  into 
rned  over 

one  morn- 
ed  ainon^ 
encourage 
r  strongth 
y  for  any 


service,  in  the  darkest  hours  of  their  adversity.  "  Is 
there  nothing  more  we  can  do  ?  Yes,  let  us  continue  to 
petition,"  was  the  answer,  and  an  oflFer  to  write  whatever 
he  would  say. 

The  result  was  a  remonstrance,  which  in  his  own 
language  was  pathetic  and  touching  in  the  extreme.  On 
listening  to  it,  I  asked  if  in  the  translation  it  was  not  em- 
bellished ;  and  the  reply  was,  that  no  translation  could 
do  justice  to  the  original.  I  can  make  only  a  few 
extracts. 

"  First,  as  a  people,  without  exception,  we  love  the 
land  of  our  birth,  the  place  of  our  fathers'  graves  ;  and 
could  we  be  permitted  to  retain  undisturbed  possession 
of  the  gifts  of  God  to  our  people,  not  one  of  us  would 
entertain  a  thought  of  emigration.  We  are  satisfied  with 
our  country,  we  neither  ask  nor  seek  a  better  one. 

"  But  we  are  told  we  can  never  live  in  peace  here;  that 
the  land  of  the  Indians'  peace  is  far  towards  the  setting 
sun.  Let  us  lay  open  our  hearts  to  your  honorable  body. 
We  are  troubled.  Why  should  it  be  said  that  we  can  have 
no  peace  here  ?  The  age,  wisdom,  and  dignity  of  a  great 
nation  are  yours.  You  can  resolve  our  doubts  for  us. 
Tlie  United  States  have  land  enough.  Yon  have  abun^ 
liant  means  of  communication.  In  all  your  wide  country, 
your  steamboats,  rail  cars,  and  carriages  can  bear  your  peo- 
ple whithersoever  they  wish  to  go.  Neither  have  you  any 
lack  of  wealth,  that  your  people  should  wish  to  become 
rich  at  our  expense.  Neither  have  we  given  you  any 
ground  of  complaint  against  us. 

"  We  have  fought  by  the  side  of  one  of  your  greatest 
generals.  He  still  lives  to  bear  testimony  to  our  fidelity. 
Yes,  the  blood  of  our  chiefs  was  shod  on  the  battle-field 
for  what  you  then  told  us  was  our  common  country.  It 
was  mingled  with  the  blood  of  your  enemies  slain  by  our 


I  *• 


254 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


hands,  and  that  too  at  your  solicitation,  at  a  time  when 
you  said  you  stood  in  need  of  our  aid.  Why  then  can 
we  have  no  pe^ce  in  a  land  whose  peace  we  helped  to  buy 
at  such  a  price  ? 

"  It  is  true  we  are  now  few  and  weak ;  you  are  numerous 
and  mighty,  but  you  are  also  magnanimous.  The  great 
hearts  which  beat  in  the  bosoms  of  your  chiefs  and  head 
men,  would  not  let  them  oppress  the  remnant  of  any 
nation  almost  wasted  from  the  earth,  much  less  the  rem- 
nant of  friends  who  once  fought  and  bled  for  tliem. 

"  It  is  true,  indeed,  we  are  almost  wasted  away.  The 
smallest  of  your  ten  thousand  towns  has  in  it  more  people 
tban  our  whole  nation.  And  can  it  then  be  any  satisfaction 
to  the  United  States  to  set  their  foot  upon  the  neck  of  an 
old  man,  even  row  tottering  into  his  grave  ?  We  cannot 
understand  these  things.  We  wish,  if  we  must  all  go 
into  the  grave,  and  perish  from  the  earth,  to  lie  together 
in  the  same  dust  with  our  forefathers.  The  strange,  un- 
hallowed earth  of  other  lands  will  press  heavily  upon  our 
bosoms.     It  will  be  cold — we  cannot  s^eep  in  such  graves. 

''  We  cannot  flourish  there  if  our  hearts  are  not  there 
— if  we  go  against  our  will — if  we  are  driven  forth  heart- 
broken and  dispirited.  No :  men  will  starve  and  perish  in 
the  most  luxuriant  soil  on  earth  if  compelled  to  take  pos- 
session of  it  under  such  circumstances.  AVe  must  go  con- 
tentedly— we  must  go  cheerfully,  in  order  to  be  benefited 
by  the  kind  offers  of  the  government ;  and,  above  all,  we 
must  go  unitedly.  The  bands  which  held  us  together 
have  been  torn.  Now^  the  flames  of  strife  burn  high  be- 
tween friends  and  brethren.  If  you  push  us  off"  hastily 
together,  we  shall  only  go  to  devour  each  other  till  we 
are  consumed.  And  even  if  we  should  not  absolutely 
destroy  each  other,  we  could  not  flourish.  The  oak  riven 
by  the  thunderbolt  will  not  grow  again.     A  kind,  gentle 


BIG   KETTLE. 


255 


I  time  when 
hy  then  can 
3lped  to  buy 

ire  numerous 
The  great 
efs  and  head 
nant  of  any 
less  the  rem- 

them. 

,  away.  The 
,  more  people 
ly  satisfaction 
le  neck  of  an 
We  cannot 

must  all  go 
)  lie  together 
e  strange,  un- 
vily  upon  our 
1  such  graves. 

are  not  there 
forth  heart- 

and  perish  in 
d  to  take  pos- 

must  go  con- 
)  be  benefited 

above  all,  we 
us  together 

burn  high  be- 

us  ofif  hastily 
other  till  we 

:iot  absolutely 

The  oak  riven 

A  kind,  gentle 


hand  might  transplant  sprout  after  sprout,  and  raise  up 
perhaps  a  forest  there.  But  after  the  lightning's  shock, 
neither  root  nor  branch  retains  the  power  of  germinating. 
What  harm  can  our  remaining  do  you?  What  is  the  use 
of  a  few  thousand  acres  of  land  to  a  nation  like  the  United 
States  ?  But  an  honorable  name — the  love  and  friend- 
ship of  those  whom  God  has  placed  under  your  care,  and, 
above  all,  the  consciousness  of  doing  right,  will  be  of 
great  importance. 

"  Thus  we  have  laid  open  our  hearts  to  you.  Our  war- 
riors, and  our  women  and  child  ren  will  take  their  own 
way  to  make  known  their  concurrence.  We  hope  you 
will  attentively  consider  what  we  have  said.  We  have 
trespassed  long  upon  your  patience,  but  with  home  and 
country, — our  fathers'  graves,  and  the  honor  of  the 
United  States  at  stake,  we  could  not  have  said  less.  May 
the  Great  Being  who  controls  the  counsels  and  destinies 
of  nations  guide  you  to  a  right  decision." 

Big  Kettle  furnished  another  gratifying  instance  that 
an  Indian  could  resist  temptation,  and  maintain  his  in- 
tegrity through  the  darkest  hours  of  adversity  and  the 
most  aggravating  wrongs.  There  are  many  among  his 
own  people  and  among  white  men,  who  knew  him,  who 
pronounce  him  a  greater  man  than  Red  Jacket.  He 
lived  to  a  later  day,  and  felt  more  keenly,  if  this  were  pos- 
sible, the  woei  hich  seemed  to  fall  thicker  and  faster 
upon  the  Indian  as  years  wore  on.  His  head  was  always 
clear,  for  not  a  drop  of  the  fire  water  ever  touched  his 
lips.  Th'-re  was  a  more  softened  dignity  in  his  deport- 
ment and  more  affability  in  bis  manners  than  was  expe- 
rienced in  intercourse  with  lied  Jacket.  He  had  finor 
sensibilitipfi,  and  though  there  is  a  vein  of  sarcasm  often 
in  his  speeches,  it  was  not  so  bitter  as  that  which  ran 
through  almost  every  thing  Red  Jacket  said.     He  re- 


256 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


i 


mained  a  Pagan  to  the  day  of  his  death,  though  he  seemed 
to  lose  some  of  his  interest  in  Pagan  ceremonies.  He 
endeavored  earnestly  to  elevate  his  people,  and  promote 
a  true  spirit  of  morality.  A  distinguished  statesman  and 
infidel  who  proposed  establishing  a  school  for  propagating 
infidelity,  once  fell  into  company  with  Big  Kettle,  and  at- 
tempted to  convince  him  that  there  was  no  God,  and  to 
prejudice  him  against  the  missionaries,  and  excite  him 
to  bitter  enmity  against  religion ;  but  the  Indian's  trust 
in  the  Great  Spirit  was  not  moved,  and  though  he  did  not 
understand  the  Christian's  God,  his  sagacious  mind 
quickly  discovered  the  fallacy  of  the  atheist's  arguments, 
and  he  was  thoroughly  disgusted  with  his  coarse  manners 
and  conversation,  and  the  want  of  principle  which  was 
manifest  in  his  motives. 

He  said  he  was  led  to  abjure  the  fire-water  by  witness- 
ing the  evil  influence  of  it  upon  his  father,  and  the 
misery  it  introduced  into  their  otherwise  happy  family. 

He  literally  died  of  a  broken  heart.  There  were 
some  among  the  chiefs  who  were  in  favor  of  the  treaty, 
and  one  day  in  the  council  house,  strife  arose  to  such  a 
height,  and  discussion  became  so  warm,  that  tomahawks 
were  unsheathed,  and  there  was  danger  of  something  more 
terrible  than  a  war  of  svords.  I  have  seen  the  one  which 
gleamed  in  Big  Kettle's  hand  on  that  occasion,  but  it  was 
allowed  to  do  no  harm,  and  it  was  this  that  grieved  the 
patriotic  old  man  more  than  any  thing  else,  to  see  Iroquois 
at  enmity  with  one  another.  It  was  not  so  in  the  dajs 
of  old.  Oh,  how  changed  !  The  Indians  were  once  all 
brethren ;  but  now  they  were  divided.  To  see  them 
wasted  was  not  so  sad  as  to  see  them  broken  and  degen- 
erate. He  mourned  and  would  not  be  comforted,  and  like 
Logan  went  away  into  the  forest,  and  shut  himself  in  a 
lonely  cabin  to  die. 


SPEECH    OF    GAYASHUTA. 


257 


gh  he  seemed 
imonies.  He 
and  promote 
tatesman  and 
r  propagating 
^e*,tle,  and  at- 
God,  and  to 
d  excite  him 
ndian's  trust 
gh  he  did  not 
gacious  mind 
t's  arguments, 
jarse  manners 
)le  which  was 

Dr  by  witness- 
;her,  and  the 
pp/  family. 

Tiiere  were 
of  the  treaty, 
ose  to  such  a 
at  tomahawks 
nnething  more 
the  one  which 
ion,  but  it  was 
at  grieved  the 
io  see  Iroquois 
so  in  the  da)s 
were  once  all 
To  see  them 
:en  and  degen- 
orted,  and  like 
b  himself  in  a 


The  missionary  learned  his  retreat  and  visited  him, 
trying  to  speak  comfort  to  his  spirit,  but  in  vain.  He 
tried  also  to  lead  him  to  the  Christian's  God,  and  explain 
to  him  the  Christian's  faith.  But  this  too  was  vain.  He 
said  the  Great  Spirit  had  not  seen  fit  to  give  the  Indian 
the  good  book  which  white  people  talked  about,  and  he 
would  not  therefore  punish  him  for  not  knowing  what  it 
contained.  "  Big  Kettle,"  said  he,  "  has  never  done 
wrong  to  his  fellow  man.  Big  Kettle  has  never  taken 
what  belonged  to  another — has  never  told  a  lie.  The 
Great  Spirit  knows  Big  Kettle  loves  him,  and  he  will  take 
him  to  the  good  place  when  he  dies."  So,  firm  in  his 
trust  in  the  Indian's  God,  he  departed  in  the  year  1839, 
without  a  single  fear  of  d-iiath,  or  unwillingness  to  go,  and 
to  the  Great  Spirit  we  will  leave  him.  "  He  alone  is 
judge." 

Speech  of  Gayashuta,  addressed   to  the  Soctety  of 

Friends, 

"  Brothers  : — The  sons  of  my  beloved  brother  Onas.* 
"When  I  was  young  and  strong,  our  country  was  full  of 
g'lme  wli^oh  the  Good  Spirit  sent  for  us  to  live  upon ;  the 
lands  which  belonged  to  us  were  extended  far  beyond 
where  we  hunted  ;  I  and  the  pople  of  my  nation,  had 
enough  to  eat,  and  always  something  to  give  our  friends, 
when  they  entered  our  cabins,  and  w-j  rejoiced  when  they 
received  it  from  us ;  hunting  was  then  not  tiresome — it 
was  a  diversion — it  was  a  pleasure. 

"  Brothers  : — When  your  fathers  asked  land  of  my  na- 
tion, we  gave  it  to  them,  for  we  had  more  than  enough. 
Gayashuta  was  among  the  first  of  the  people  to  say,  '  give 

*  Onas  is  the  Indian  word  for  qitillf  and  by  this  name  they 
alwayi  •poke  of  VVilliaai  Penn. 


258 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


land  to  our  brother  Onas,  for  he  wants  it,  and  he  has 
always  been  a  friend  to  Onas  and  his  children.' 

"  Brothers  : — Your  fathers  saw  Gayashuta  when  he 
was  young ;  when  he  had  not  even  thought  of  old  age  or 
weakness ;  but  you  are  too  far  oflF  to  see  him  now  he  has 
grown  old.  He  is  very  old  and  feeble,  and  he  wonders  at 
his  own  shadow — it  becomes  so  little. 

"  He  has  no  children  to  take  care  of  him,  and  the  game 
is  driven  away  by  the  white  people,  so  that  the  young 
men  must  hunt  all  day  to  find  game  for  themselves  to  eat ; 
they  have  left  nothing  for  Gayashuta.  And  it  is  not 
Gayashuta  only,  who  is  becoming  old  and  feeble — there 
yet  remains  about  thirty  of  your  old  friends,  who,  unable 
to  provide  for  thamselves,  or  to  help  one  another,  have 
become  poor,  and  are  hungry  and  naked. 

"  Brothers  ! — Gayashuta  sends  you  a  belt,  which  he 
received  long  ago  from  your  fathers,  and  a  writing  which 
he  received  bui  as  yesterday  from  OL^e  of  you.  By  these 
you  will  remember  him,  and  the  old  friends  of  your  fa- 
thers in  this  nation ;  look  on  this  belt  and  this  writing, 
and,  if  you  remember  the  old  friends  of  your  fathers^ 
consider  their  former  friendship  and  their  present  dis- 
tress ;  and,  if  the  Good  Spirit  shall  put  it  into  your 
hearts  to  comfort  them  in  their  old  age,  do  not  disregard 
his  counsel.  We  are  men  ;  and  therefore  need  only  tell 
you  that  we  are  old,  and  feeble,  and  hungry,  and  naked ; 
and  that  we  have  no  other  friends  but  you, — the  children 
of  our  beloved  brother  Onas." 

There  have  been  attempts  to  prove  that  the  Friends, 
as  well  as  others,  were  guilty  of  injustice,  fraud,  and 
deception  towards  the  Indians,  but  I  can  nowhere  find 
hese  charges  substantiated ;  and  it  is  sufficiently  con- 
vincing to  any  unprejudiced  mind,  that  the  universal  im- 
pression among  the  red  men  would  not  be  that  the  Friends 


SPEECH   OF   BLACK   HAWK. 


259 


it,  and  he  has 

en.' 

shuta  when  he 

.  of  old  age  or 

kirn  now  he  has 

he  wonders  at 

L,  and  the  game 
hat  the  young 
dselves  to  eat ; 
A.nd  it  is  not 
I  feeble — there 
Is,  who,  unable 
another,  have 

belt,  which  he 

writing  which 

ou.     By  these 

ds  of  your  fa- 

d  this  writing, 

your  fathers^ 

r  present  dis- 

i  it  into  your 

not  disregard 

need  only  tell 

y,  and  naked ; 

— the  children 

t  the  Friends, 
Be,  fraud,  and 
nowhere  find 
ifficiently  con- 
1  universal  im- 
at  the  Friends 


were  different  from  other  white  people,  if  they  had  not 
seen  it  demonstrated.  Whether  at  the  North  or  the 
South,  the  East  or  the  West,  the  impression  of  the  Indian 
concerning  the  pale-faces  is  the  same.  The  Pequod  and 
the  Cherokee,  the  Seminole  and  the  Dacotah,  experience 
the  same  treatment,  and  utter  the  same  sentiment. 

The  speech  of  Black  Hawk,  when,  after  a  long  and 
desperate  conflict,  he  was  taken  and  imprisoned,  is  the 
lamentation  of  all. 

"  The  Sun  rose  dim  on  us  in  the  morning,  and  at 
night  sank  in  a  dark  cloud,  and  looked  like  a  ball  of  fire. 
That  was  the  last  sun  that  shone  on  Black  Hawk.  His 
heart  is  dead,  and  no  longer  beats  quick  in  his  bosom. 
He  is  now  prisoner  to  the  white  man ;  they  will  do  with 
him  as  they  wish.  But  he  can  stand  torture,  and  is  not 
afraid  .of  death.  He  is  no  coward.  Black  Hawk  is  an 
Indian.  He  has  done  nothing  for  which  an  Indian  ought 
to  be  ashamed.  He  has  fought  for  his  countrymen,  the 
squaws,  and  pappooses,  against  white  men.  who  came  year 
after  year  to  cheat  them,  and  take  away  their  lands.  You 
know  the  cause  of  their  making  war.  It  is  known  to  all 
white  men.  They  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  it.  The  white 
men  despise  the  Indians,  and  drive  them  from  their 
homes.  But  the  Indians  are  not  deceitful.  The  white 
men  speak  bad  of  the  Indian,  and  look  at  him  spitefully. 
But  the  Indians  do  not  tell  lies ;  Indians  do  not  steal. 

"  An  Indian  who  is  as  bad  as  a  white  man  could  not 
live  in  our  nation ;  he  would  be  put  to  death,  and  eaten 
up  by  wolves.  The  white  m«n  are  bad  schoolmasters ; 
they  carry  false  looks,  and  deal  in  false  actions  ;  they 
smile  in  the  face  of  the  poor  Indian,  to  cheat  him ;  they 
shake  him  by  the  Land,  to  gain  his  confidence,  to  make 
him  drunk,  and  ruin  his  wife.  We  told  them  to  let  us 
alone,  and  keep  away  from  us ;  but  they  followed  on,  and 


260 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


:)   !■ 


beset  our  paths,  ard  they  coiled  themselves  among  us  like 
the  snake.  They  poisoned  us  by  their  touch.  We  are 
not  safe,  we  lived  in  danger.  We  were  becoming  like 
them — hypocrites  and  liars,  adulterers,  and  lazy  drones. 

"  There  were  no  deer  in  the  forest ;  the  opossum  and 
the  beaver  were  fled ;  the  springs  were  drying  up,  and 
our  squaws  and  pappooses  without  food.  The  Spirit  of 
our  Fathers  awoke,  and  spoke  to  us  to  avenge  our  wrongs 
or  die.  We  all  spoke  before  the  council  fire.  It  was 
warm  and  pleasant ;  we  set  up  the  warwhoop,  and  dug  up 
the  tomahawk ;  our  knives  were  ready,  and  the  heart  of 
Black  Hawk  swelled  high  in  his  bosom  when  he  led  his 
warriors  to  battle.  He  is  satisfied.  He  will  go  to  the 
world  of  spirits  contented. 

"  Black  Hawk  is  a  true  Indian.  He  feels  for  his  wife, 
his  children,  and  friends.  But  he  does  not  care  for  him- 
self. He  cares  for  the  nation  and  the  Indians.  They 
will  suffer.  He  laments  their  fate.  The  white  men  do 
not  scalp  the  head ;  but  they  do  worse, — they  poison  the 
heart ;  it  is  not  pure  with  them.  His  countrymen  will 
not  be  scalped  ;  but  they  will  in  a  few  years  become  like 
■v^hite  men,  so  that  you  cannot  trust  them ;  and  there 
must  be,  as  in  the  white  settlements,  nearly  as  many 
officers  as  men,  to  take  care  of  them,  and  keep  them  in 
order. 

"  Farewell  my  nation !  Black  Hawk  tried  to  save 
you,  and  avenge  your  wrongs.  He  has  been  taken  pris- 
oner, and  can  do  no  more.  His  sun  is  setting,  and  will 
rise  no  more.     Farewell  to  'Black  Hawk !  " 

I  have  not  any  where  made  extracts  from  the  bloody 
records  of  war,  or  related  instances  of  Indian  barbarity  ; 
but  if  I  had,  they  would  have  formed  a  pleasing  picture 
for  the  mind  to  dwell  upon,  compared  with  the  history  of 
the  controversy  which  was  waged  between  a  simple,  trust- 


MANNERS   AND    CUSTOMS. 


261 


uong  us  like 
h.  We  are 
jcomiug  like 
izy  drones, 
possum  and 
ing  up,  and 
he  Spirit  of 
3  our  wrongs 
ire.  It  was 
,  and  dug  up 
the  heart  of 
n  he  led  his 
ill  go  to  the 

I  for  his  wife, 
3are  for  him- 
iians.  They 
hite  men  do 
y  poison  the 
ntrymen  will 
I  become  like 
and  there 
rly  as  many 
:eep  them  in 

;ried  to  save 
a  taken  pris- 
ting.  and  will 

n  the  bloody 
an  barbarity  ; 

asing  picture 
he  history  of 

simple,  trust- 


ful band  of  Indians,  and  the  thieves  and  robbers  who  in- 
vaded them  with  weapons  more  deadly  than  tomahawks 
and  scalping-knives — weapons  which  they  could  not  see, 
and  therefore  could  not  repel.  I  have  given  but  a  glimpse 
of  the  long  struggle ;  but  I  will  not  dwell  upon  it  longer, 
for,  as  far  as  the  Iroquois  are  concerned,  it  is  ended,  we 
trust,  though  there  is  still  an  effort,  and,  perhaps,  a  hope, 
to  weary  out  the  Indians,  and  thus  gain  their  possessions. 
But  it  is  futile  ;  they  will  not  part  with  them  but  with 
their  blood. 

As  far  as  most  of  them  are  concerned,  those  days  of 
clouds  and  thick  darkness  have  passed  away,  and  with 
them  should  vanish  the  prejudice  and  mutual  distrust  to 
which  they  gave  rise. 

Now,  the  Indians  on  all  these  lands  are  tillers  of  the 
soil,  and  you  may  ride  miles  in  every  direction,  and  see 
their  fruitful  fields  and  comfortable  dwellings,  indicating 
an  industrious  and  an  eminently  peaceful  and  happy  peo- 
ple. And  if  you  come  into  this  little  church,  you  will 
see  that  they  are  also  a  Christian  people.  At  first  you 
might  smile  at  the  peculiarities  in  the  dress  of  the  women, 
for  they  persist,  and  very  properly,  I  think,  in  not  adopt- 
ing the  dress  which  we  call  civilized,  but  which  better  de- 
serves the  name  of  barbarous.  No  screws  or  lacings  mar 
their  forms,  and  their  outer  dress  is  still  short  and  very 
loose.  The  elder  women  sit  with  uncovered  heads,  their 
long  black  hair  tied  in  braids  with  gay  ribbons  down  their 
necks.  The  younger  women  have  quite  universally  adopt- 
ed the  gypsy  hat  with  gay  streameis,  and  all  wear  shawls, 
generally  very  tasteful  and  handsome.  This  costume,  with 
the  rich  brown  tint  of  their  soft  skins,  gives  them  a  pic- 
turesque and  pleasing  appearance. 

They  have  large  portions  of  the  Bible,  a  hymn-book, 
and  several  school-books  in  their  native  tongue,  and  rich 


262 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


music  it  is  when  they  all  stssidupand  sing  "with  the 
spirit  and  the  understanding,"  ^cod  old-fashioned  tunes  in 
their  own  rich  and  peculiarly  expressive  language.  There 
are  aged  men  and  manly  youths,  matrons,  maidens,  and 
tiny  babies ;  iukI  all,  not  excepting  the  little  ones,  are 
very  respectful  and  serious  in  their  deportment. 

The  sermon  to-day  is  by  one  of  their  own  people,  a 
chief,  and  though  it  is  Greek  to  me,  as  far  as  edification  is 
concerned,  I  listen  more  attentively  than  I  do  sometimes 
to  what  I  can  understand,  for  there  is  something  very  fasci- 
nating in  the  language  and  in  the  speaker.  He  is  not  a 
minister,  but  occupies  the  pulpit  to-day,  because  both  the 
missionaries  are  absent  to  attend  an  annual  meeting  at  a 
distant  place ;  but  he  is  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath- 
school,  and  though  he  comes  six  miles,  has  been  absent 
but  twice  I  believe  in  three  years.  Many  who  are  present 
have  been  in  the  habit  of  walking  eight  or  nine  miles, 
men,  women,  and  children,  and  are  as  sure  to  be  present 
ES  the  Sabbath  bell  is  to  ring. 

Here  the  Indian  is  the  Indian  still,  and  among  the 
youths  and  maidens  of  the  present  generation,  there  are 
some  noble  specimens  of  this  still  noble  race ;  and  the  in- 
termingling of  Saxon  blood,  wherever  it  has  taken  place, 
has  caused  no  deterioration. 

As  my  book  is  written  with  the  hope  of  disseminating 
the  truth,  and  thus  removing  prejudice,  I  will  give  an  in- 
stance of  the  prejudice  which  exists,  and  doubt  not  the 
same  incident  would  have  occurred  in  any  city  where  the 
trial  had  been  made. 

The  first  Sabbath  I  attended  church,  I  noticed  by  my 
side  a  fine-looking  woman,  with  the  richest  tint  of  clear 
Mingoe  blood  upon  her  cheeks,  and  her  raven  hair  in  soft 
flowing  masses,  curving  upon  her  temples,  and  twined  in 
olassio  braids  behind.     Tall  and   portly  in  figure,   and 


RED   jacket's   step-daughter. 


263 


<*  with  the 
led  tunes  in 
Lge.  There 
laidens,  and 
le  ones,  are 
t. 

rn  people,  a 
jdification  is 
0  sometimes 
ig  very  fasci- 
He  is  not  a 
use  both  the 
meeting  at  a 
;he  Sabbath- 
been  absent 
0  are  present 
r  nine  miles, 
io  be  present 

d  among  the 
Dn,  there  are 
and  the  in- 
taken  place, 

lisseminating 
1  give  an  in- 
oubt  not  the 
ity  where  the 

oticed  by  my 
tint  of  clear 
sn  hair  in  soft 
md  twined  in 
figure,   and 


dignified  in  deportment,  she  particularly  attracted  my 
attention,  and  the  sweet  and  intelligent  expression  of  her 
face  told  that  she  was  no  common  woman. 

I  asked  who  she  was ;  and  learned  that  she  was  the 
step-daughter  of  their  most  distinguished  chief.  Red 
Jacket,  and  one  of  whom  he  was  particularly  fond.  She 
was  a  child  when  he  was  an  old  man,  and  sat  on  his  knee, 
and  stroked  his  withered  cheek  and  kissed  his  brow,  and 
received  his  most  affectionate  caresses.  Her  moth'^r  was 
the  seco^'1  wife  of  the  great  orator,  and  the  faitltf\ij  iVi*  nd 
of  tho  onaries,  and  a  consistent  member  '•f  ti;'  \bi\e 

missi  u     during  all  the  latter   years  ot    her  iife. 

The  <  .uerefore,  has  had  a  Christian  education, 

and  is  .  moroughly  sensible  and  very  interesting  woman. 
But  while  I  listened  to  this  answer  and  made  these  re- 
marks, I  also  listened  to  a  story  which  made  me  blush  for 
my  people. 

A  few  years  ago,  when  the  American  Board  held  their 
annual  meeting  in  an  eastern  city,  the  wife  of  the  mis- 
sionary, Mrs.  Wright,  was  requested  to  bring  one  of  the 
Indian  women  who  could  speak  English,  and  was  also 
familiar  with  her  native  language,  that  many  more  might 
be  interested  in  their  labors  by  witnessing  the  fruits. 
This  was  the  woman  she  selected  to  accompany  her. 
There  was  of  course  a  great  crowd  of  people,  and  hotels 
and  boarding-houses  were  more  than  full.  The  one  where 
they  took  up  their  abode,  had  the  table  surrounded  with 
what  are  termed,  in  fashionable  parlance,  genteel  people, 
and  here  the  missionaries  and  the  chieftain's  daughter  of 
a  proud  race  took  their  place,  as  worthy  to  occupy  the 
same  position  and  receive  the  same  politeness.  What 
was  their  surprise,  to  see  upon  the  countenances  of  those 
who  sat  opposite  them,  indignation  and  conscious  insult, 
that  a  lady  of  a  different  people,  and  with  a  darker  hue, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT~3) 


«// 


1.0 


I.I 


*^  ^    121 

2!^  m 


Ui 


12.0 

li 


1^1'-^  ^ 

4 

6"     

► 

Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  wht 

WIUTM 


MAIN  STRHT 
,N.V.  MSM 
•7a<4S03 


4  4^^^ 


264 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


'M, 


?  * 


!i 


•■  I 


I. 

& } 

f 


should  be  permitted  to  dine  with  them  as  an  equal !  No 
notice  was  taken  of  their  contemptuous  looks  and  ges- 
tures, but  what  was  the  surprise  of  the  offending  party  to 
find  at  the  next  meal  that  the  table  was  vacated — they 
were  left  alone.  The  hostess  then  explained  the  cause  of 
offence,  and  requested  that  the  squaw  might  take  her 
place  at  the  second  table,  as  they  should  lose  their  boarders 
if  she  did  not.  The  missionaries  answered,  that  if  she  sat 
at  the  second  table  they  must  also ;  and  to  this  proposition 
she,  without  blushing,  acceded ;  and  during  the  remainder 
of  the  time,  the  vulgar  gentility  of  the  establishment 
were  not  troubled  by  the  presence  of  two  dignified,  lady- 
like. Christian  women,  as  far  above  their  comprehension 
as  the  heavens  are  above  the  earth.  They  ate  and  drank 
without  danger  of  contamination  !  It  is  one  of  the  pecu- 
liarities of  the  Indians  never  to  betray  emotion  unseason- 
ably, and  though  it  was  evident  that  Mrs.  L.  understood 
the  designed  humiliation,  she  never  by  word  or  look  made 
it  manifest.  It  is  also  characteristic  of  them,  that  when 
introduced  into  society,  where  the  customs  are  different 
from  theirs  and  entirely  new,  they  manifest  no  embarrass- 
ment or  ignorance,  but  conform  with  wonderful  tact ;  and 
while  seeming  to  be  indifferent,  really  observe  minutely, 
and  afterward  relate  every  thing  that  passes. 

How  the  disgraceful  and  utterly  uncivilized  conduct 
of  these  few  who  represent  a  large  portion  of  nhat  is 
called  civilized  society,  was  portrayed  by  this  injured 
woman  to  her  own  people,  I  know  not.  I  only  know  that 
she  bore  the  insult  with  Christian  meekness.  She  is  the 
woman  of  whose  girlhood  I  have  spoken  in  the  life  of 
Bed  Jacket,  and  had  ho  lived  his  fondest  wishes  concern- 
ing her  would  have  been  realized.  She  grew  up  to  be  a 
woman  of  whom  he  might  well  have  been  proud.  Her  hus- 
band it  the  grandson  of  a  British  officer,  who  loved  an 


I 


il-- 


RED   JACKET'S  STEP-DAUGHTER. 


265 


I  equal  1    No 
oks  and  ges- 
ding  party  to 
acated — they 
I  the  cause  of 
ght  take  her 
their  boarders 
that  if  she  sat 
his  proposition 
the  remainder 
establishment 

lignified,  lady- 
comprehension 
T  ate  and  drank 
,ne  of  the  pecu- 
lOtion  unseason- 

L.  understood 
rd  or  look  made 
hem,  that  when 

,8  are  different 
it  no  embarrass- 
.erful  tact ;  and 
(serve  minutely, 

les. 

Ivilized  conduct 
[tion  of  what  is 
Iby  this  injured 
only  know  that 
less.     She  is  the 
.  in  the  lifo  of 
wishes  concern- 
^rew  up  to  bo  a 
)roud.     flerhus- 
•,  who  loved  »» 


tndian  maiden,  and  took  her  to  be  his  wife.  When  his 
erm  of  service  expired  he  returned  to  England,  but  not 
without  using  every  persuasion  to  induce  his  dusky  bride 
to  accompany  him.  She  would  not  consent  to  go,  fearing 
she  might  not  be  recognized  as  wife  when  so  far  away,  and 
claimed  the  right,  which  was  most  reluctantly  granted,  of 
retaining  their  little  son.  For  many  years  his  father  annu- 
ally remembered  him,  and  sent  gold  and  magnificent  pre- 
sents to  testify  his  love,  but  at  length  they  ceased,  and  no- 
thing more  was  ever  heard  concerning  him.  As  there  were 
no  surnames  among  the  Indians,  the  child  was  not  called 
by  his  father's  name,  and  it  soon  became  lost  to  all  who 
ever  knew  him  this  side  the  water.  If  my  Indian  friends 
have  any  cousins  among  the  lords  or  nobles  of  England, 
they  might  not  care  to  have  me  supply  the  links  which 
would  bring  them  to  the  knowledge  of  each  other ;  but  I 
can  assure  them  that  the  blood  of  the  daughter  of  an  Iro- 
quois Chief  has  not  degraded  that  of  any  Peer  of  the 
Kealm. 


12 


"'    % 


266 


THE    IROOVOIS. 


-i '. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 


HE  EDUCATED    INDIAN. 


ff^  -r. 


The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  speeches  made  by 
young  educated  Indians,  who  are  still  living  and  laboring 
among  their  people.  The  first  was  made  before  the  His- 
torical Society  of  New  York,  in  behalf  of  the  little  com- 
pany of  Cayugas  who  emigrated  beyond  the  Mississippi, 
and  were  reduced  to  such  extreme  suffering  that  a  great 
proportion  of  them  died  in  less  than  a  year.  It  was  pro- 
posed  to  bring  back  the  remainder,  and  a  speech  to  excite 
sympathy  and  raise  funds  was  made  by  Dr.  Wilson,  who 
obtained  ten  thousand  dollars  for  this  purpose,  five 
hundred  of  which  was  given  by  a  member  of  the  Society 
of  Friends  in  Baltimore. 

''  The  honorable  gentleman  has  told  you  that  the  Iro- 
quois have  no  monuments.  Did  he  not  previously  prove 
that  the  land  of  Gano-no-o,  or  the  Empire  State  as  you 
love  to  call  it,  was  once  laced  by  our  trails  from  -ny  to 
Buffalo — trails  that  we  had  trod  for  centuries — tr^  ab  worn 
80  deep  by  the  feet  of  tho  Iroquois  that  th-^y  became  your 
own  roads  of  travel  as  your  possessions  gradually  eat  into 
those  of  my  people  ?  Your  roads  still  traverse  those  same 
lines  of  communication  and  bind  one  part  of  the  long  house 
to  another.  The  land  of  Gano-no-o — the  Empire  State — 
then  is  our  monument !  and  we  wish  its  soil  to  rest  above 
our  bones  when  we  shall  be  no  more.     We  shall  not  loDg 


INDIAN   ORATIONS. 


267 


eches  made  by 
1^  and  laboring 
before  the  His- 
:  the  little  com- 
the  Mississippi, 
g  that  a  great 
tr.     It  was  pro- 
I  speech  to  excite 
Dr.  Wilson,  who 
s   purpose,  five 
r  of  the  Society 

ou  that  the  Iro- 
previously  prove 
ire  State  as  you 
from  -ny  to 
ries — tr-  io  worn 
h'^y  became  your 
rudually  eat  into 
verse  those  same 
of  the  long  house 

Empire  State— 
loil  to  rest  above 
e  shall  not  long 


occupy  much  room  in  living;  we  shall  occupy  still  less 
when  we  are  gone ;  a  single  tree  of  the  thousands  which 
sheltered  our  forefathers — one  old  elm  under  which  the 
representatives  of  the  tribes  were  wont  to  meet — will  cover 
us  all ;  but  we  would  have  our  bodies  twined  in  death  among 
its  roots  on  the  very  soil  where  it  grew !  Perhaps  it  will 
last  the  longer  from  being  fertilized  with  their  decay. 

"  I  have  been  told  that  the  first  object  of  this  Society 
is  to  preserve  the  history  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
You,  all  of  you  know,  that  alike  in  its  wars  and  in  its 
treaties  the  Iroquois,  long  before  the  Revolution,  formed 
a  part  of  that  history ;  that  they  were  then  one  in  council 
with  you,  and  were  taught  to  believe  themselves  one 
in  interest.  In  your  last  war  with  England,  your  red 
brothers — your  elder  brothers — still  came  up  to  help  you, 
as  of  old,  on  the  Canada  frontier  !  Have  we,  the  first 
holders  of  this  prosperous  region,  no  longer  a  share  in 
your  history  ?  Glad  were  your  forefathers  to  sit  down 
upon  the  threshold  of  the  '  Long  House ;  rich  did  they 
then  hold  themselves,  in  getting  the  mere  sweepings  from 
its  doors.  Had  our  forefathers  spurned  you  from  it  when 
the  French  vore  thundering  at  thj  opposite  end,  to  get  a 
passage  through  and  drive  you  into  the  sea,  whatever  has 
been  the  fate  of  other  Indians,  the  Iroquois  mi„ht  still 
have  been  a  nation  ;  and  I — I — instead  of  pleading  here 
for  the  privilege  of  lingering  within  your  borders — I — I 
— might  have  had — a  country  !  " 

This  was  delivered  extemporaneously,  and  was  very 
long,  but  only  these  few  sentences  have  been  preserved, 
and  for  these  we  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Hoflfraan,  who  devoted 
to  the  author  and  his  subject  a  long  article  in  the  Liter- 
ary World  the  next  day. 

The  following  was  delivered  before  an  enlightened  as- 
sembly by  Mr  Maris  B.  Pierce. 


268 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


wl 

■1' 

;#' 

il 

m  '■' 

;   ;  ■  j,  ;  ; 

Rv' 

■  ''  I-*'-    '  i 

Wp    '•'' . 

"   '''i' 

■P           [: 

:i'^^l^'' 

'I'-       ^^' 

'■.'■■|i ;:!'! 

:!  '■■]  ■ 
'      -1      ! 

■*,':   '  ■■■' 

1 

"  It  has  been  said,  and  reiterated  so  frequently  as  to 
have  obtained  the  familiarity  of  household  words,  that  it 
is  the  doom  of  the  Indian  to  disappear — to  vanish  like  the 
morning  dew  before  the  advance  of  civilization — before 
those  who  belong  by  nature  to  a  diflferent,  and  by  education 
and  circumstances  to  a  superior  race  ;  and  melancholy  is  it 
to  us — those  doomed  ones — that  the  history  of  this  coun- 
try, in  respect  to  us,  and  its  civilization,  has  furnished  so 
much  ground  for  the  saying,  and  for  giving  credence  to  it. 

"  But  whence  and  why  are  we  thus  doomed  ?  Why 
must  we  be  crushed  by  the  arm  of  civilization,  or  the 
requiem  of  our  race  be  chanted  by  the  waves  of  the  Pa- 
cific, which  is  destined  to  ingulf  us  ?  Say  ye,  on  whom 
the  sunlight  of  civilization  has  constantly  shone — into 
whose  lap  Fortune  has  poured  her  brimful  horn,  so  that 
you  are  enjoying  the  highest  and  best  spiritual  and  tem- 
poral blessings  of  this  world,  say,  if  some  being  from  fairy 
land,  or  some  distant  planet,  should  come  to  you  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  cause  you  to  deem  them  children  of  greater 
light  and  superior  wisdom  to  yourselves,  and  you  should 
open  to  them  the  hospitality  of  your  dwellings  and  the 
fruits  of  your  labor,  and  they  should  by  dint  of  their 
superior  wisdom  dazzle  and  amaze  you,  so  as,  for  what  to 
them  were  toys  and  rattles,  they  should  gain  freer  admis- 
sion and  fuller  welcome,  till,  finally,  they  should  claim  the 
right  to  your  possessions,  and  of  hunting  you,  like  wild 
beasts,  from  your  long  and  hitherto  undisputed  domain, 
how  ready  would  you  be  to  be  taught  of  them  ?  How 
cordially  would  you  open  your  minds  to  the  conviction 
that  they  meant  not  to  deceive  you  further  and  still  more 
fat-ally  in  their  proffers  of  pretended  kindness  ? 

"  How  much  of  the  kindliness  of  friendship  for  them, 
and  of  esteem  for  their  manners  and  customs  would  you 
feell    Would  not  'the  milk  of  human  kindness'  in  your 


i 


Y 


,f^^ 


INDIAN   ORATIONS. 


269 


equently  as  to 
words,  that  it 
;ranish  like  the 
zation — before 
d  by  education 
elancholy  is  it 
f  of  this  coun- 
,s  furnished  so 
credence  to  it. 
}omed  ?     Why 
ization,  or  the 
res  of  the  Pa- 
ty  ye,  on  whom 
ly  shone — into 
I  horn,  so  that 
itual  and  tem- 
eing  from  fairy 
to  you  in  such 
dren  of  greater 
md  you  should 
jUinga  and  the 
y  dint  of  their 

as.  for  what  to 
in  freer  admis- 
hould  claim  the 

you,  like  wild 
sputed  domain, 
them  ?     How 

the  conviction 

and  still  more 
less? 

dship  for  them, 
ioms  would  you 
adness'  in  your 


1 


breasts  be  turned  to  the  gall  of  hatrea  towards  them? 
And  have  not  we,  the  original  and  undisputed  possessors 
of  this  country,  been  treated  worse  than  you  would  be, 
should  any  supposed  case  be  transferred  to  reality. 

"  But  I  will  leave  the  consideration  of  this  point  for  the 
present,  by  saying,  what  I  believe  every  person  who  hears 
me  will  assent  to,  that  the  manner  in  which  the  white  peo- 
ple have  habitually  dealt  with  the  Indians,  makes  them 
wonder  that  their  hatred  has  not  burned  with  tenfold  fury 
against  them,  rather  than  that  they  have  not  laid  aside 
their  own  peculiar  notions  and  habits,  and  adopted  those 
of  their  civilized  neighbors. 

"  For  instances  of  those  natural  endowments,  which,  by 
cultivation,  give  to  the  children  of  civilization  their  great 
names  and  far-reaching  fame,  call  to  mind  Philip  of  Mount 
Hope,  whose  consummate  talents  and  skill  made  him  the 
white  man's  terror,  by  the  display  of  those  talents  and 
that  skill  for  the  white  man's  destruction. 

"  Call  to  mind  Tecumseh,  by  an  undeserved  association 
with  whose  name  one  of  the  great  men  of  your  nation  has 
obtained  more  of  greatness  than  he  ever  merited,  either 
for  his  deeds  or  his  character.  Call  to  mind  Red  Jacket, 
formerly  your  neighbor,  with  some  of  you  a  friend  and 
familiar,  and  to  be  a  friend  and  familiar  with  whom  none 
of  you  feel  it  a  disgrace. 

"  Call  to  mind  Osceola,  the  victim  of  the  white  man's 
treachery  and  cruelty,  whom  neither  his  enemy's  arm  nor 
cunning  could  conquer  on  the  battle  field,  and  who  at  last 
was  consumed  in  '  durance  vile,'  by  the  corroding  of  his 
own  spirit.  In  *  durance  vile,'  I  say.  Blot  the  fact  from 
the  record  of  that  damning  baseness,  of  that  violation  of 
all  law,  of  all  humanity,  which  that  page  of  your  nation's 
history  which  contains  an  account  of  it  must  ever  be  1 
Blot  out  the  fact,  I  say,  before  you  rise  up  to  call  an  In- 
dinn  treacherous  or  cruel. 


;t 


ft  1^ 


51 

1 


ill** 


¥ 
G  ¥ 


270 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


"  For  an  instance  of  active  pity,  of  deep  rational  active 
pity,  and  the  attendant  intellectual  qualities,  I  ask  you 
to  call  to  mind  the  story  surpassing  romance  of  Pocahon- 
tas ;  she  who  threw  herself  between  a  supposed  inimical 
stranger  and  the  deadly  club  which  had  been  raised  by 
the  stern  edict  of  her  father,  and  by  appealing  to  the  af- 
fections of  that  father,  savage  though  he  was,  overcame 
the  fell  intent  which  caused  him  to  pronounce  the  white 
man's  doom.  In  her  bosom  burned  purely  and  rationally 
the  flame  of  love,  in  accordance  with  the  dictates  of  which 
she  offered  herself  at  the  Hymenial  altar,  to  take  the  nup- 
tial ties  with  a  son  of  Christian  England.  The  offspring 
of  this  marriage  have  been  with  pride  claimed  as  sons 
and  citizens  of  the  noble  and  venerable  State  of  Virginia. 

"  Ye  who  love  prayer,  hover  in  your  imagination  around 
the  cot  of  Brown,  and  listen  to  the  strong  supplications, 
as  they  arise  from  the  fervent  heart  of  Catharine,  and  then 
tell  me  whether 

' — the  poor  Indian,  whose  untutored  mind 
Sees  God  in  clouds  and  heara  him  in  the  wind,' 

is  not  capable,  by  cultivation,  of  rationally  comprehend- 
ing the  true  God,  whose  pavilion  is  the  clouds,  and  who 
yet  giveth  grace  to  the  humble. 

"  The  ill-starred  Cherokees  stand  forth  in  colors  of  liv- 
ing light,  redeeming  the  Indian  character  from  the  foul 
aspersions,  that  it  is  not  susceptible  of  civilization  and 
Christianization.  John  Koss  stands  before  the  American 
people,  in  a  character  both  of  intellect  and  heart,  which 
many  a  white  man  in  high  places  might  envy,  and  yet 
never  be  able  to  attain  !  A  scholar,  a  patriot,  an  honest 
and  honorable  man  ;  standing  up  before  the  '  powers  that 
be,'  in  the  eyes  of  Heaven  and  men,  now  demanding,  now 
supplicating  of  those  powers,  a  regard  for  the  rights  of  hu- 


I 


INDIAN  ORATIONS. 


271 


manity,  of  justice,  of  law — and  still  a  scholar,  a  patriot, 
an  honest  and  honorable  man ;  though  an  Indian  blood 
coursing  in  his  veins,  and  an  Indian  color  giving  hue  to 
his  complexion,  dooms  him,  and  his  children  and  kin,  to 
be  hunted  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  by  those  powers,  for 
their  home,  and  possessions,  and  country,  to  the  '  terra 
incognita  boyond  the  Mississippi.' 

"  *  Westward  the  star  of  Empire  takes  its  way,'  and 
whenever  that  empire  is  held  by  the  white  man,  nothing 
is  safe  or  enduring  against  his  avidity  for  gain.  Popula- 
tion is  with  rapid  strides  going  beyond  the  Mississippi, 
and  even  casting  its  eye  with  longing  gaze,  for  the  woody 
peaks  of  the  Rocky  Mountains — nay,  even  for  the  surf- 
beaten  shore  of  the  western  Ocean.  And  in  process  of 
time,  will  not  our  territory  there  be  as  subject  to  the 
wants  of  the  white  people,  as  that  which  we  now  occupy  ? 

"  I  ask,  then,  in  behalf  of  the  New  York  Indians,  that  our 
white  brethren  will  not  urge  us  to  do  that  which  justice, 
humanity,  religion,  not  only  do  not  require,  but  condemn. 
Let  us  live  on  where  our  fathers  lived,  and  enjoy  the  ad- 
vantages our  location  oflfers  us,  that  we  who  are  converted 
heathens,  may  be  made  meet  for  that  inheritance  which 
the  FcUher  hath  promised  to  give  the  Son,  our  Saviour ; 
BO  that  the  deserts  and  waste  places  may  be  made  to  blos- 
som like  the  rose,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof  utter  forth 
the  high  praises  of  our  God. 

"  The  government  instituted  by  our  ancestors  many 
centuries  ago,  was  remarkable  for  its  wisdom,  and  adapted 
to  the  then  condition  of  our  nation.  It  was  a  republican, 
and  purely  democratic  government,  in  which  the  will  of 
the  people  ruled.  No  policy  nor  enterprise  was  carried 
out  by  the  Council  uf  the  Grand  Sachems  of  the  Confed- 
eracy, without  the  sanction  and  ratification  of  the  people, 
and  it  was  necessary  that  it  should  receive  the  consent  of 


272 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


n  I 


^   1 


the  confederate  tribes.  The  consent  of  the  warriors  alone 
was  not  deemed  sufficient,  but  the  women, — the  mothers 
of  the  nation  were  also  consulted ;  by  this  means  the  path 
of  the  wise  Sachems  was  made  clear — their  hands  were 
made  strong,  their  determinations  resolute,  knowing  full 
well  that  they  had  the  unanimous  support  of  their  constit- 
uents ;  hence  the  confederacy  of  the  Iroquois  became  great 
and  strong,  prosperous  and  happy ;  by  their  wisdom,  they 
became  statesmen,  orators,  and  diplomatists;  by  their 
valor  and  skill  in  the  war-path,  they  became  formidable — 
they  conquered  and  subdued  many  tribes,  and  extended 
their  territory. 

"  This  was  our  condition  when  the  pale-faces  landed 
upon  the  eastern  shores  of  this  great  island.  Ever^  nation 
has  its  destiny.  We  now  behold  our  once  extensive  do- 
mains reduced  to  a  few  acres ;  our  territory,  which  once 
required  the  fleetest  moons  to  traverse,  is  now  spanned  by 
the  human  voice.  Yes,  the  Chiefs  under  our  ancient  form 
of  government  have  reduced  our  possessions,  so  that  now 
when  we  put  the  seed  of  the  melon  into  the  earth,  it 
sprouts,  and  its  tender  vine  trails  along  the  ground,  until 
it  trespasses  upon  the  lands  of  the  pale-faces." 

When  Colonel  McKenney  was  writing  his  Indian  his- 
tory, he  addressed  a  letter  of  inquiry  to  General  Cass, 
asking  whether  he  ever  knew  an  instance  of  Indian 
war  or  massacre,  that  was  not  provoked  by  the  white 
man's  aggression.  To  this  letter  he  received  the  follow* 
ing  laconic  reply : 


Dear  Colonel  : — 

Never !   Never  ! 


NEVER ! 

Yours  truly, 

Lewis  Cass. 


(yarriors  alone 
the  mothers 

leans  the  path 

r  hands  were 
knowing  full 

■  their  constit- 
became  great 
wisdom,  they 

ists;  by  their 
formidable — 

and  extended 

}-faces  landed 

Ever^  nation 

extensive  do- 

y,  which  once 

iw  spanned  by 

:  ancient  form 

s,  so  that  now 

the  earth,  it 

ground,  until 

:es." 

lis  Indian  his- 
Greneral  Cass, 
ce  of  Indian 
by  the  white 
jd  the  follow- 


WIS  Cass. 


INJUSTICE   TO   THE   INDIANS. 


273 


General  Houston,  in  speeches  lately  made  at  Wash- 
ington and  at  Boston,  has  made  the  same  statement ;  and 
this,  any  one  thoroughly  acquainted  with  Indian  history, 
will  confirm.  Had  there  been  nothing  more  to  roui^e  In- 
dian ferocity,  it  was  enough  to  see  his  favorite  hunting- 
grounds  devastated,  and  the  desecration  of  the  graves  of 
his  fathers.  We  will  not  enter  into  the  merits  of  the 
question,  whether  it  would  have  been  right  to  permit  so 
wide  an  extent  of  country,  capable  of  supporting  millions, 
to  remain  in  the  possession  of  so  few.  It  is  an  important 
question  ;  but  when  we  judge  the  Indian,  we  are  to  look 
upon  the  invasion  as  it  appeared  to  him.  In  his  eyes,  the 
invaders  were  thieves  and  robbers, — yes,  barbarians  and 
savages.  Their  mode  of  warfare,  and  their  system  of 
destroying,  were  more  inhuman  and  terrible  than  any 
thing  he  had  ever  witnessed  or  imagined. 

To  expect  them  to  yield  their  territory  without  a 
struggle,  and  a  desperate  struggle,  was  an  expectation 
which  only  an  idiot  could  entertain ;  and  to  expect  them 
to  lay  aside  their  wild,  roving  habits,  and  easy,  careless 
life,  for  one  of  toil  and  drudgery,  with  none  of  the  ad- 
vantages of  civilization  and  Christianity  apparent  to  them, 
was  quite  as  ridiculous.  They  were  every  where  obliged 
to  yield  to  the  law  of  force,  with  only  now  and  then  a 
glimpse  of  the  law  of  kindness.  The  good  John  Robin- 
son, of  Plymouth  memory,  even  in  his  day  "  began  to 
doubt  whether  there  was  not  wanting  that  tenderness  for 
the  life  of  man,  made  after  God's  own  image,  which  was 
so  necessary ; "  and  says,  "  It  would  have  been  happy  if 
the  early  Colonists  had  converted  some,  before  they 
killed  any." 

So  early  as  1623,  it  sometimes  occurred  that  "  In- 
dians, calling  in  a  friendly  manner,  were  seized  and  put 
"  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  ouoe 
12* 


m  irons. 


j> 


274 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


\l    1: 


1^1 


i\h- 


11 


V 
-.--il; 
'<5»v 


.it! 


offered  one  hundred  pounds  each  for  ten  Indian  scalps ; 
and  forty  white  warriors  went  forth  to  win  the  prize,  and 
returned  with  ten  scalps  stretched  on  poles,  and  received 
the  one  thousand  pounds  !  " 

The  Indian  had  no  other  law  than  an  "  eye  for  an 
eye,  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth  ;"  hut  there  was,  probably, 
not  one  among  the  early  Colonists,  who  had  not  the  Gos- 
pel  of  Christ,  as  well  as  the  Ten  Commandments. 

For  myself,  I  have  wondered  that  the  fire  of  revenge 
and  hatred  should  ever  have  gone  out  in  a  single  Indian 
bosom ;  that  he  should  have  been  willing  to  receive  the 
missionary  and  school-teacher  from  among  a  people  who 
had  so  forfeited  their  title  to  Christian,  and  practised  so 
contrary  to  their  professions.  But  whoever  will  take  the 
trouble  to  wander  among  the  peaceful  valleys  of  Cattarau- 
gus and  Alleghany,  will  be  convinced  that  the  natural  and 
artificial  passions  of  Indians  may  be  lulled,  and  the  gall 
and  wormwood  which  wrong  and  oppression  have  en- 
gendered in  their  hearts,  may  be  converted  into  the 
sweetest  milk  of  human  kindness.  They  have  learned  to 
distinguish  between  the  possessor  and  the  professor ;  they 
have  learned  to  value  the  good  gifts  it  is  in  our  power 
to  bestow,  and  are  willing  to  sit  at  our  feet  and  learn 
wisdom. 

It  has  become  an  annual  custom  among  the  Senecas  to 
hold  a  national  picnic,  to  which  the  people  are  all  invited. 
The  ceremonies  are  conducted  as  at  similar  festivals  among 
other  people,  and  I  would  like  to  have  had  the  world,  the 
unthinking,  and  still  inexcusable  ignorant  world,  look  upon 
a  scene  which  was  represented  not  long  since  in  the  forest 
by  North  American  Indians. 

Some  strangers  who  happened  along  here  a  few  months 
since,  exclaimed,  "  Why,  how  have  you  created  such  a 
paradise  here,  and  nobody  ever  has  heard  of  it  ?  "     Ho 


|m 


INDIAN   CIVILIZATION. 


'Z7i> 


ndian  scalps ; 

ihe  prize,  and 

and  received 

"  eye  for  an 
yas,  probably, 
.  not  the  Gos- 
lents. 

re  of  revenge 
single  Indian 
,0  receive  the 
a  people  who 
practised  so 
will  take  the 
s  of  Cattarau- 
e  natural  and 
1,  and  the  gall 
ion  have   en- 
ted   into   the 
ave  learned  to 
•ofessor;  they 
in  our  power 
'eet  and  learn 

bhe  Senccas  to 
,re  all  invited, 
istivals  among 
the  world,  the 
irld,  look  upon 
e  in  the  forest 

i  a  few  months 

reated  such  a 

of  it?"     Ho 


looked  abroad  upon  the  cultivated  fields  and  comfortable 
dwellings,  and  could  not  believe  that  the  Indians  had 
done  all  this.  They  are  so  entirely  a  distinct  and  pecu- 
liar people,  that  though  living  near  a  great  city,  and  sur- 
rounded by  an  inquisitive  and  aggressive  people,  they  are 
less  known  in  the  general  community  than  the  Chinese  or 
the  Laplanders. 

What  has  wrought  this  great  change  ?  The  quiet  labors 
and  the  small  still  voice  of  the  missionary  and  the  school- 
teacher. As  well  as  I  could,  I  have  pictured  the  Indian 
as  he  was,  and  now  I  wish  you  to  look  upon  him  as  he  is. 
Just  stand  with  me  upon  this  little  hill,  and  look  upon 
this  gay  ♦-oncourse  of  people.  At  our  feet  is  a  beautiful 
grove  of  elms  and  oaks  and  maples,  on  the  borders  of  a 
silver  stream,  so  clear  that  it  is  a  perfect  mirror  to  the 
shining  pebbles  upon  its  bed.  It  bears  still  an  Indian 
name,  the  Cattaraugus,  and  flows  on  to  mingle  its  waters 
with  Lake  Erie. 

There  is  music  in  the  distance.  Look  up  and  you  will 
see  a  procession.  It  is  heralded  by  the  Seneca  National 
Band,  in  a  costume  of  red  and  white,  and  the  tune  is 
Yankee  Doodle,  though  the  musicians  are  all  Indians. 
Then  comes  the  Marshal,  who  would  be  singled  out  by  an 
observer,  on  any  occasion,  as  a  genuine  son  of  a  proud 
race,  by  his  fine  figure  and  noble  bearing.  With  his  rich 
dress,  on  his  caparisoned  steed,  he  is  truly  princely. 

Then  follow  the  children  of  the  six  several  schools, 
their  soft  voices  joining  in  a  lively  hymn,  under  the  care 
of  their  teachers ;  all  with  gala  dresses  and  distinguishing 
badges,  and  flags  waving  in  the  breeze.  Another  band, 
"  The  Sons  of  Temperance,"  bring  up  the  rear,  and  slowly 
they  come  marching  on,  crossing  the  stream  upon  a  tem- 
porary bridge,  wheeling  about  in  several  military  evolu- 
tions, and  arrange  themselves  in  groups  around  the  plat- 


V 


i  i 


* 


276 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


forms  wreathed  with  evergreens,  on  which  the  President 
of  !;he  day  and  the  Speaker  stand.     He  who  presides  is 
one  of  the  the  oldest  and  most  venerable  of  the  chiefs  of 
his  people.     He  is  dressed  in  black,  with  a  broad  white 
silk   scarf,  terminating  in.  crimson  fringes,  crossing  his 
breast  and  falling  gracefully  at  his  side.     Around  him  are 
other  venerable  men,  whose  memories  easily  go  back  to 
the  time  when  there  was  not  a  Christian  in  the  whole  na- 
tion.    Now  the  missionary  pastor,  who  has  for  twenty 
years  labored   among   them,  and   can  very  justly  look 
around  him  and  call  what  he  beholds  the  fruit  of  his  la- 
bors, lifts  his  voice  to  crave  the  blessing  of  Heaven  upon 
their  festal  gathering.     You  will  listen  to  the  speaking 
which  follows  with  interest,  though  you  will  not  under- 
stand the  language  in  which  some  cf  the  addresses  are 
made.     It  is  not  so  musical  as  rich,  and  fall."  on  the  car 
like  the  deep  voice  of  the  cataract,  rather  than  the  low 
murmuring  rill.     But  those  who  think  the  Indian  has  no 
vein  of  humor  and  no  love  of  pleasantry,  should  "sten  to 
him  when  he  is  surrounded  only  by  his  kindred — those 
who  can  appreciate  him,  and  whom  he  can  trust.     Solem- 
nity, enthusiasm,  and  mirthfulness,  play  alternately  upon 
the  features  of  the  assembly,  but  there  is  in  him  so  great 
a  regard  for  decorum,  that  nothing  like  levity  or  untimely 
restlessness  ever  disturbs  an  Indian  audience.     There  is 
the  most  respectful  attention  till  the  orators  are  seated, 
and  then  they  gather  around  the  table,  which  is  tastefully 
and  bountifully  spread,  in  the  form  of  a  double  square. 
Around  it  circle  the  guests,  and  within  stand  those  who 
dispense  the  good  gifts  prepared  for  all  who  come.     Here, 
too,  is  the  order  which  seldom  characterizes  so  large  a 
number  among  people  of  any  other  name ;  and  happiness, 
a  quiet  but  soul  appreciating  happiness,  is  beaming  upon 
every  dusky  face. 


INDIAN   CIVILIZATION. 


277 


^e  President 
presides  is 
the  chiefs  of 
broad  white 
crossing  his 
und  him  are 
go  back  to 
he  whole  na- 
for  twenty 
justly  look 
lit  of  his  la- 
leaven  upon 
ihe  speaking 
not  under- 
ddresscs  are 
f>  on  the  car 
han  the  low 
idian  has  no 
>uld  'sten  to 
idred — those 
ist.  Solera- 
rnatoly  upon 
him  so  great 
'  or  untimely 
J.  There  is 
are  seated, 
is  tastefully 
ublo  square, 
d  those  who 
ome.  Here, 
I  so  large  a 
id  happiness, 
earning  upon 


When  the  feast  is  finished,  the  speakers  again  mount 
the  rostrum,  and  as  usual  after  a  good  dinner,  all  are  more 
disposed  to  merriment.  Before  you  are  a  thousand  people 
of  all  ages,  from  the  gray-haired  man  of  ninety,  to  the  ti- 
niest baby  that  ever  opened  its  eyes  to  the  light.  You 
may  see  there  a  group  of  laughing  maidens,  reclining  upon 
the  grass  in  the  shade  of  a  spreading  oak,  with  their  gypsy 
hats  and  bright  streamers,  and  near  by  a  bevy  of  ma- 
trons, with  their  raven  hair  braided  in  rich  tresses,  and 
their  mantles  gathered  in  folds  about  their  waists.  The 
musicians  fill  up  the  interstices  between  the  speeches  with 
thrilling  and  plaintive  strains,  till  the  daylight  begins  to 
fade  and  the  red  gleam  of  the  setting  sun  gilds  the  forest 
tops.  Then  again  they  form  in  procession,  and  march 
away.  The  children  number  about  two  hundred ;  and  are 
you  realizing  all  this  time  that  they  are  what  some  people 
still  insist  upon  calling  savages,  and  maintain  can  never 
become  an  educated,  refined  and  cultivated  people  ?  really 
believing  that  they  are  incapable  ot  appreciating  learning, 
the  arts,  Christianity,  and  civilization  ?  Contending 
that  they  ought  to  be  removed  far  away  into  the  Western 
forests  to  roam  for  ever  wild,  that  the  white  man  may  not 
trample  them  as  he  tramples  the  beast  and  the  reptile  in 
his  path  ?  The  laborers  have  been  few,  far  too  few  for 
this  beautiful  vineyard,  yet  they  have  accomplished  a  great 
work.  The  population  is  now  von  the  increase,  and  schools 
and  churches  are  multiplying.  The  people  are  improving 
in  agriculture,  and  pretty  farms  and  houses  are  beginning 
to  dot  their  hills  and  valleys.  They  are  becoming  a 
Christian  and  social  people. 

I  have  attended  one  or  two  parties,  or  social  gather- 
ings, at  the  houses  of  the  missionaries,  where  there  were 
perhaps  fifty  or  sixty,  and  have  seen  far  less  comeliness 
and  propriety  of  behavior  among  the  same  number  of  the 


1 

1     ! 

A:           5 

!  \ 

^ 

'■}    1 

\}}i: 

,1    1 

t'  ?  »■ 


278 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


sons  and  daughters  of  New  England.  Indians  have  re- 
markable tact  in  conforming  to  the  customs  of  other  peo- 
ple, if  they  choose  to  exercise  it,  and  when  they  are  fully 
convinced  that  it  is  best  to  relinquish  their  own  peculiar 
habits,  they  adopt  new  ones  very  readily.  If  land  specu- 
lators would  let  them  alone,  and  the  State  would  perform 
its  whole  duty,  they  would  soon  prove  that  the  last  of  the 
Senecas  is  not  yet,  nor  for  a  long  jme  to  come.  They 
would  become  a  valuable  element  in  our  political  and  so- 
cial organization — refute  the  slanders,  and  blot  out  the 
dark  pictures  which  historians  have  been  wont  to  spread 
abroad  concerning  them.  May  I  live  to  see  it  done,  for 
most  deeply  have  I  learned  to  blush  for  my  people. 

The  speech  from  which  I  make  the  following  extracts, 
was  made  by  Mr.  N.  T.  Strong.  The  President  of  the 
day  was  Henry  Twoguns,  the  step  son  of  Eed  Jacket, 
and  the  Vice  President,  Dr.  Wilson.  The  Marshal  was 
Mr.  M.  H.  Parker,  and  the  bands  were  composed  entirely 
of  Indians. 

His  speech  also,  like  the  preceding  ones,  was  made 
in  English ;  and  all  are  in  better  English  than  many  I 
have  read  by  foreigners  of  other  nations  who  have  had 
the  same  advantages  of  education. 


'A 


A' 


"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — I  enter  upon  the  duties 
assigned  me  by  the  committee  of  arrangements  with  much 
distrust.  It  is  a  difficult  task  at  all  times  to  speak  in  a 
foreign  language,  and  I  fear  I  shall  not  succeed  to  the 
satisfaction  of  myself  or  my  audience. 

"  In  some  respects  the  present  occasion  is  an  eztraordi> 
nary  one — never  before  did  the  white  man  with  his  women 
and  children  meet  with  the  red  man  and  his  women  and 
children  in  a  social  pionicx  It  is  an  oocasioa  to  excite 
our  gratitude  and  make  us  glad,  and  I  would  like  for  a 


INDIAN   ORATION. 


279 


QS  have  re- 
f  other  peo- 
ey  are  fully 
wn  peculiar 

land  specu- 
ald  perform 
e  last  of  the 
3me.  They 
ical  and  so- 
)lot  out  the 
nt  to  spread 

it  done,  for 
eople. 

ing  extracts, 
dent  of  the 
[led  Jacket, 
Marshal  was 
>sed  entirely 

s,  was  made 
han  many  I 
10  have  had 


n  the  duties 
bs  with  much 

0  speak  in  a 
oceed  to  the 

Etn  extraordi- 
^h  his  women 

1  women  and 
ion  to  excite 
Id  like  for  a 


moment  to  present  the  past  condition  and  relationships  of 
the  two  nations  in  contrast  with  the  present. 

"  That  the  red  men  wet  the  first  occupants  of  the  soil 
is  conceded  by  all.  In  >  we  had  the  start  of  the  white 
man,  perhaps  because  Joim  Bull  and  the  Dutchman  had 
not  been  Yankeefied  at  that  time,  for  we  find  after  this 
transformation  took  place  the  white  man  had  the  start  of 
us  in  every  thing  ! 

"  In  1647  the  confederacy  of  the  Six  Nations  were  able 
to  raise  30,000  warriors.  They  had  a  regularly  organized 
government,  in  which  the  rights  of  nations  were  distinctly 
defined ;  but  the  rights  of  individuals  were  not  defined. 
War  and  the  sports  of  the  chase  were  then  the  pursuits 
of  the  red  men.  Their  clothing  was  made  of  the  skins  of 
the  animals  they  killed  in  the  chase.  Their  food  was  the 
flesh  of  wild  animals,  and  the  corn  and  vegetables  which 
were  raised  by  the  women,  and  the  labor  of  the  lodge  was 
all  performed  by  them.  The  conquests  of  the  Iroquois  had 
extended  far  to  the  south  and  west,  and  the  name  of  the 
Ho-de-no-son-ne  was  a  terror  among  all  the  surrounding 
nations. 

"  They  roamed  from  river  to  river,  and  from  valley  to 
plain  in  pursuit  of  the  buffalo,  the  bear,  and  the  elk,  and 
darted  across  lakes  and  rivers  in  their  light  canoes  to  find 
the  beaver  and  otter,  in  order  to  take  their  furs.  At  ap- 
pointed seasons  they  returned  to  the  council  fires  of  the 
several  nations,  for  the  transaction  of  public  business  and 
to  keep  the  annual  feasts. 

"  In  1776,  more  than  a  hundred  years  afterwards,  we 
find  them  greatly  reduced  in  numbers,  though  their  cus- 
toms are  the  same.  The  Mohawks,  who  dwelt  on  the 
banks  of  the  Hudson,  and  along  the  valley  which  still 
bears  their  name,  scarcely  numbei  "td  four  hundred  souls. 
The  Oneidas,  who  were  situated  next  west  of  them,  num- 


*il 


280 


THE     IROQUOIS. 


'V   .i.; 


It    ■ 


|1K 


-it- 

I; 


bered  fifteen  hundred,  and  the  Onondagas,  Cajugas,  Sene* 
cas,  and  Tuscaroras,  about  ten  thousand,  and  could  raise 
two  thousand  wairiors. 

"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — Let  us  now  look  at  the 
white  man  in  the  same  periods.  In  1647  they  had,  capable 
of  bearing  arms,  only  300  all  told !  Their  pursuits  were 
agriculture  and  commerce.  They  had  a  system  of  govern- 
ment, and  written  laws.  The  rights  of  nations  and  the 
rights  of  individuals  were  well  defined.  Their  religion 
was  founded  upon  the  Bible.  They  were  cold  and  calcu- 
lating, and  knew  the  value  and  uses  of  money.  They  also 
knew  that  land  was  better  than  money  !  They  therefore 
made  every  effort  to  obtain  it.  The  white  man  bought  it 
of  his  red  brother,  and  paid  him  little  or  nothing.  He 
bought  furs,  too,  at  his  own  prices. 

"  We  find  him  again  in  1 774  numbering  1 8 1 ,000.  Their 
improvement,  in  numbers,  wealth,  and  the  arts  and 
sciences,  has  been  going  steadily  onward.  The  forests  fell 
before  the  woodsman — the  game,  and  those  in  pursuit  of 
it,  also  continued  to  retreat,  till  both  had  nearly  disap- 
peared. Thus  one  of  the  occupations  of  the  red  man, 
like  Othello's,  *  was  gone.' 

"  The  land  of  the  red  man  became  cultivated — '  the 
wilderness  blossomed  as  the  rose.'  The  white  man  built 
cities,  towns,  villages  ;  he  built  churches,  established  col- 
leges, academies,  common  schools,  and  other  institutions 
of  learning. 

"  Yes,  you  made  canals,  railroads,  and  your  electric 
telegraph  transmits  news  almost  with  the  speed  of 
through^  This  is  wonderful !  The  red  man  can  yet 
scarcely  comprehend  it.  Your  commerce  has  extended 
over  the  world.  Your  ships  are  on  every  sea — your  steamers 
on  every  river.  In  two  hundred  years  your  population 
has  increased  from  six  thousand  to  three  millions. 


I  >.' 


INDIAN    ORATION. 


281 


yugas,  Sene* 
could  raise 

look  at  the 
had,  capable 
ursuits  were 
m  of  govera- 
ons  and  the 
heir  religion 
d  and  calcu- 
They  also 
ley  therefore 
lan  bought  it 
othing.     He 

1,000.  Their 
ke  arts  and 
e  forests  fell 
in  pursuit  of 
nearly  disap- 
le  red  man, 

ivated — '  the 
te  man  built 
ablishcd  col- 
institutions 

jOMT  electric 
e  3peed  of 
lan  can  yet 
as  extended 
our  steamers 
:  population 

iODS. 


"  Allow  me  to  ask,  what  price  did  the  red  man  receive 
for  this  broad  domain?  The  public  documents  testify 
thus  : — '  By  these  presents  we  do  for  ourselves  and  heirs 
and  successors,  ratify,  confirm,  grant,  and  subrAJt,  unto 
our  most  Sovereign  Lord  King  George,  by  the  Grace  of 
God,  King  of  Great  Britain,  &c.,  defender  of  the  faith, 
&o.,  all  the  land  lying  between,  &c. ;  '  here  follows  an  in- 
definite description  of  the  premises,  including  lakes,  rivers, 
&c.,  and  never  paying  a  cent  for  it  I 


"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — You  see  from  this  that 
your  forefathers  wronged  the  red  man  and  took  advantage 
of  his  ignorance.  This  you  will  now  acknowledge.  The 
red  roan  has  a  long  history  of  wrongs  and  griefs  ;  though 
unrecorded  by  the  hand  of  man,  they  are  written  in  the 
Great  Book  of  Remembrance  kept  by  the  Great  Spirit, 
and  He  will  inquire  into  this  at  your  hands  by  and  by, 
and  He  will  do  justice  to  his  red  children. 

I  have  not  instituted  these  comparisons  to  represent 
the  red  man  as  an  inferior,  and  you  as  a  superior  being. 
No.  These  results  are  owing  to  circumstances  in  the  rise 
and  fall  of  nations.  And  you  must  also  bear  in  mind  that 
the  Great  God  in  heaven,  whom  you  profess  to  worship 
and  adore,  governs  and  directs  the  afiairs  of  nations  as 
well  as  individuals.  The  powerful  nations  that  fall,  and 
the  weak  that  rise,  do  it  alike  at  His  bidding. 

"  But  I  appeal  to  you  whether  we  are  not  entitled  to 
your  sympathy — whether  we  have  not  claims  upon  "your 
assistance,  in  endeavoring  to  raise  ourselves  from  the  con- 
dition in  which  ignorance  and  prejudice  have  sunk  our 
nation. 

"  The  red  man  is  aware  of  his  condition.  Yes,  he  feels 
it  deeply.     When  he  looks  at  the  sun,  the  light  of  which 


282 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


J       .' 


enabled  his  ancestors  to  look  abroad  upon  a  magnificent 
country,  all  his  own,  now  peopled  by  another  race,  he  feels 
alone — an  alien  from  the  commonwealth.  There  are  no 
monuments  to  commemorate  the  deeds  of  his  forefathers, 
as  there  are  in  the  old  world ;  but  there  are  the  mighty 
rivers  and  the  eternal  hills,  which  he  has  named. 

"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — The  Six  Nations  are  now 
represented  before  you.  The  President  of  the  day  is  a 
Seneca,  and  a  worthy  representative  of  his  nation — the 
Vice-President  on  his  right  is  a  Cayuga  of  the  first  water^ 
and  on  the  left  a  worthy  Onondaga.  One  of  your  poets 
has  said  that '  music  has  charms  even  to  soothe  a  savage ! ' 
and  here  is  a  band  of  musicians  who  have  delighted  us 
with  their  sweet  strains,  composed  entirely  of  the  descend- 
ants of  Senecas  and  Tuscaroras,  and  I  doubt  not  they 
have  gratified  even  civilized  ears  I 

"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — You  perceive  we  are 
changed.  We  already  have  schools,  and  books,  and 
churches,  and  are  fast  adopting  the  customs  of  white 
men. 

"  For  these  improvements  we  are  mainly  indebted  to 
the  Missionaries  of  the  American  Board.  Great  is  our 
debt  of  gratitude  to  these  persevering  and  devoted  men 
and  women.  And  Oh,  if  you  will  but  continue  to  extend 
to  us  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  we  shall  abundantly 
reward  your  eflforts,  and  you  will  soon  see  among  us  a 
high  state  of  cultivation  and  refinement. 

<<  The  missionaries  have  not  made  a  great  noise  concern- 
ing their  labors  by  blowing  of  the  trumpet,  but  quietly 
and  peaceably  '  have  gone  about  doing  good ; '  and  may 
they  live  to  see  fulfilled  their  most  cherished  hopes,  and 
answered  their  fervent  prayers." 


Hero  I  have  permitted  the  Indian  to  speak  for  himself, 


magnificent 
ace,  he  feels 
^here  are  no 

forefathers, 

the  mighty 
ed. 

ions  are  now 
the  day  is  a 

nation — the 
)  first  water ^ 

your  poets 
le  a  savage ! ' 
delighted  us 
the  descend- 
bt  not  they 

eive  we  are 

books,  and 

ns  of  white 

1  indebted  to 
Great  is  our 
devoted  men 
lue  to  extend 
[  abundantly 
among  us  a 

ioise  concern- 
,  but  quietly 
; '  and  may 
d  hopes,  and 


k  for  himself, 


CLOSING   REMARKS. 


283 


and  have  given  only  a  few  of  the  proofs  which  I  have  of 
a  similar  kind,  that  neither  education,  nor  civilization,  nor 
Christianity  enervates  the  mind  or  the  body  of  the  In- 
dian. 

If  we  had  lived  when  our  fathers  lived,  very  probably 
we  should  have  been  like  unto  them ;  we  should  have  been 
guilty  of  the  same  errors  of  judgment,  and  the  same  mis- 
takes in  practice.  But  now  that  we  have  no  fear,  and 
can  look  back  upon  the  past  as  a  whole,  we  are  able  to 
see  clearly,  where  the  actors  could  only  grope  in  darkness. 
Yet  with  the  experience  of  centuries  to  profit  by,  we  are 
scarcely  more  ready  to  do  justice. 

We  are  in  undisputed  possession  of  all  these  fair  do- 
mains, and  we  know  the  paltry  price  we  have  paid  for 
them.  We  know  that  there  is  in  our  midst  a  remnant  of 
this  proud  people,  whom  it  is  our  duty,  and  whom  it  is  in 
our  power  to  savej  and  what  have  we  done,  and  what  are 
we  doing  to  accomplish  their  salvation  ? 


n 

^  -. 

H 

!■ 

II 

;  .  tf 

II 

■i    \      ,  ■ 

-     ■     ■  1  ■ 

"'  1  f 
t    . 

284 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    FUTURE   OF   THE   NORTH   AMERICAN   INDIAN. 

Every  historian  and  prophet  who  has  preceded  me,  has 
reiterated  the  prediction  that  "  the  doom  of  the  Indian  is 
extinction  I "     I  shall  not  contradict  it ;  but  I  fearlessly 
say,  this  ought  not  so  to  be.     Is  it  not  a  libel  upon  Chris- 
tianity, that  it  is  not  fitted  for  all  the  people  of  the 
earth  ?     Is  it  not  a  libel  upon  Him,  "  who  made  of  one 
blood  all  nations ; "  who  made  the  heavens  and  the  earth  ; 
that  He  contemplated  the  happiness  of  only  ono  portion, 
and  instituted  a  system  of  religion  fitted  only  for  a  few  ? 
He  does  not  tell  us  that  Christ  came  into  the  world, 
to  be  crucified  and  slain  for  the  Saxon  and  the  Norman 
alone  I     He  died  to  redeem  a  world ;  and  He  said,  "  Go 
and  preach  the  Gospel  to  all  nations."     If  He  created  a 
people  incapable  of  receiving  the  Gospel  and  profiting  by 
it,  how  strange  the  command  that  it  should  be  preached 
to  them.     We  look  upon  the   instances  of  degeneracy 
among  Indian  youth  who  have  been  educated,  and  ex- 
claim, "  How  fruitless  are  all  our  efibrts  !  "  without  taking 
into  consideration  the  true  causes  of  this  degeneracy,  or 
the  inefficacy  of  any  means  yet  employed  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  our  ostensible  object.     Yet  it  is  stated,  that 
as  far  back  as  1846,  there  were  more  Cherokees  who  could 
read  the  Englieh  or  their  own  tongue,  than  could  be 


INDIAN. 

eded  me,  has 
the  Indian  is 
t  I  fearlessly 
il  upon  Chris- 
eople  of  the 
made  of  one 
nd  the  earth : 
f  one  portion, 
ily  for  a  few  ? 
ito  the  world, 
the  Norman 
He  said,  "  Go 
He  created  a 
I  profiting  by 
be  preached 
f  degeneracy 
uted,  and  ex- 
ithout  taking 
Bgeneracy,  or 
T  the  accom- 
■I  stated,  that 
ies  who  could 
lan  could  be 


r  ,- 


INJUSTICE   TO   THE   INDIANS. 


285 


found  among  tl;;  yhite  people,  in  proportion  to  the  whole 
number,  in  any  State  of  the  Union ! 

In  1818,  a  plan  was  conceived  for  educating  the  In- 
dians of  the  whole  country,  by  the  Superintendent  of 
Indian  AflFairs,  which,  though  in  operation  but  a  few 
years,  proved  conclusively  that  the  Indian  was  capable  of 
any  degree  of  cultivation.  He  obtained  from  Congress 
an  appropriation  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  annually,  for  his 
purpose ;  and  with  the  cordial  approbation  and  coopera- 
tion  of  various  missionary  and  religious  societies,  estab- 
lished schools  among  the  Indians  all  along  upon  our  west- 
ern borders,  from  Lake  Superior  to  Chattahoochee, — in 
which  were  gathered  eighteen  hundred  children,  "  deriv- 
ing instruction,  and  making  as  rapid  advances  in  the 
various  incipient  branches  of  learning,  in  agriculture  and 
the  mechanic  arts,  as  are  made  in  any  part  of  the  United 
States  by  the  children  of  white  people."  Then  arose  a 
new  power ;  the  demons  of  avarice  and  selfishness  ruled 
in  the  councils  of  our  nation.  These  Indians,  who  had 
become  a  Christian  people,  with  the  religion  of  Christ  for 
their  religion — occupying  lands,  rich  with  the  products 
of  their  industry — ^must  be  thrust  forth,  because  they 
were  a  people  of  a  darker  hue  than  ourselves.  So  these 
flourishing  schools  were  broken  up  ;  these  happy  children 
were  deprived  of  all  their  means  of  improvement,  and 
thousands  of  innocent  people  were  compelled  to  leave 
their  homes  and  firesides,  and  wend  their  way  to  the  wil- 
derness— leaving  the  pathway  drenched  with  their  tears, 
and  stained  with  their  blood. 

And  even  now,  what  has  the  Indian  youth  to  awaken 
hope,  and  excite  ambition?  Not  even  yet,  in  the  State 
of  New  York,  is  he  granted  the  privileges  of  citizenship , 
though  his  claims,  as  native  American,  are  prior  to  those 
of  every  Saxon  on  her  soil.     He  is  a  land-owner,  an  agri- 


-4l 


tJ: 


286 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


oulturist,  an  educated,  a  Christian  man — but  still  treated 
as  if  he  were  an  idiot  or  a  brute. 

The  story  of  young  James  McDonald,  in  whom 
Colonel  McKenney  and  Philip  Thomas  took  so  great  an 
interest,  illustrates  the  feelings  of  every  red  man,  when 
he  thinks  of  becoming  like  his  white  brethren.  This  young 
man  was  adopted  into  the  family  of  Colonel  McKenney, 
and  being  the  age  of  his  own  son,  enjoyed  every  privilege 
which  he  enjoyed.  In  the  family  and  in  the  social  circle 
they  were  equals,  and  were  afforded  the  same  advantages 
of  education.  The  Indian  youth  was  endowed  with  all 
the  personal  beauty  of  the  noblest  of  his  race,  "  with  a 
manner  the  most  gracious  and  winning,"  said  his  adopted 
parent,  "and  a  morality  I  never  saw  invaded."  Of  his 
progress  in  study,  when  he  had  been  only  a  little  while  at 
school,  his  teacher  remarked,  that  *'  he  came  with  his  les- 
sons better  digested,  and  more  Greek  and  Latin  and 
mathematics  in  one  of  them,  than  the  class  to  which  he 
was  attached  could  get  through  in  a  week, — so  he  was 
obliged  to  place  him  in  a  class  by  himself" 

When  he  had  finished  his  academical  studies,  his  bene- 
factor chose  for  him  the  profession  of  the  law.  But  he 
had  begun  to  think  of  the  difference  between  the  treat- 
ment he  was  then  receiving,  and  that  which  awaited  him 
when  he  should  go  forth  in  the  world,  and  he  exclaimed, 
"  Wherefore !  wherefore !  Of  what  use  to  me  will  be  my 
present  or  future  attainments?  Oh,  sir,"  pressing  his 
hand  against  his  forehead  as  he  continued,  "  it  will  be  all 
lost  on  me.  lam  an  Indian,  and  being  an  Indian,  I  am 
marked  with  a  mark  as  deep  and  abiding  as  that  which 
Cain  bore.  My  race  is  degraded — trodden  upon— de- 
spised." He  then  took  from  his  bosom  a  letter  from  his 
brother,  who  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  navy,  and  whose  bit- 
ter experience  had  wrung  from  him  the  following  words : 


'I  ! 


STORY  OF  JAMES  MACDONALD. 


287 


still  treated 

d,  in  whom 
c  so  great  an 
i  man,  when 
This  young 
McKenney, 
ery  privilege 
social  circle 
e  advantages 
wed  with  all 
race,  "  with  a 
1  his  adopted 
ed."  Of  his 
iittlo  while  at 
i  with  his  les- 
d  Latin  and 
3  to  which  he 
I, — so  he  was 

dies,  his  hene- 
law.  But  he 
en  the  treat- 
I  awaited  him 
he  exclaimed, 
ne  will  be  my 
'  pressing  his 
'  it  will  be  all 
Indian,  I  am 
as  that  which 
en  upon — -de- 
etter  from  his 
,nd  whose  bit- 
lowing  words : 


"There  is  only  one  of  two  things  to  do:  either  throw 
away  all  that  belongs  to  the  white  race  and  turn  Indian, 
or  quit  being  Indian  and  turn  white  man.  The  Jiist  you 
can  do — the  latter  it  is  not  in  your  power  to  do.  The 
white  man  hates  the  Indian,  and  will  never  permit  him 
to  come  into  close  fellowship  with  him,  or  to  be  a  partici- 
pator in  any  of  his  high  prerogatives  or  distinguished 
advantages." 

When  young  James  was  asked  if  any  thing  in  his  expe- 
rience in  the  family  in  which  he  lived,  would  justly  lead 
him  to  such  a  conclusion,  he  answered :  "  No,  sir ;  oh, 
no ;  no  indeed.  But  this  is  an  exception,  and  only  serves 
to  prove  the  rule.  You  are  to  me  a  father.  My  grati- 
tude to  you  and  your  family  can  never  die.  I  know  I  am 
treated  with  the  greatest  attention,  even  to  tenderness.'' 
The  tears  came  to  his  eyes ;  he  sat  down  and  pressed  his 
handkerchief  to  his  face,  until  it  was  literally  wet  with 
weeping. 

After  awhile  he  spoke,  saying,  "  Yes,  sir ;  I  .^ill  go  to 
Ohio  and  read  law  with  Mr.  McLean.  I  will  do  any  thing 
that  it  may  be  your  pleasure  for  me  to  do.  I  should 
indeed  be  an  ingrate  to  thwart  your  kind  designs  towards 
me  in  any  thing.     But  the  seal  is  upon  my  destiny !  " 

When  the  time  was  fixed  for  him  to  go,  day  after  day 
he  still  lingered,  so  great  was  his  reluctance  to  leave  home, 
and  father,  and  mother,  and  sisters  and  friends,  to  become, 
as  he  believed,  an  alien  evermore.  But  he  went,  and  in 
about  half  the  time  usually  occupied  in  acquiring  this 
profession,  he  was  ready  for  the  bar. 

He  was  a  Choctaw,  and  when  he  had  finished  his 
studies  he  returned  to  his  people,  on  a  visit  to  his  mother. 
Whilst  there  he  was  chosen  one  of  a  company  of  delegates 
to  come  to  Washington  on  business,  and  Mr.  Calhoun  and 
others,  who  were  engaged  with  him  in  transacting  it,  were 


!  i| 


288 


THE   mOQVOIS. 


■I    'i 


•p 


astonished  at  his  powers  and  his  acquisitions.  But  his 
adopted  parent  saw  with  the  deepest  anguish  that  he  was 
endeavoring  to  blunt  his  keen  sensibilities,  and  stifle  the 
conflict  in  his  bosom  by  the  intoxicating  draught.  He 
could  not  endure  that  one  so  gifted  and  so  beautiful  should 
be  thus  destroyed,  and  sought  many  opportunities  of  re- 
monstrating with  him.  At  one  time  he  reminded  him  of 
the  days  he  had  spent  under  his  roof — those  days  of  in- 
nocence, and  honor,  and  bliss.  He  sprang  to  his  feet  and 
exclaimed  "  Spare,  me  !  oh,  spare  me  !  It  is  that  thought 
which  makes  me  so  miserable.  I  have  lost  that  sweet 
home  and  its  endearments ;  the  veil  which  was  so  kindly 
placed  between  me  and  my  Indian  caste  has  since  been 
torn  away.  I  have  been  made  to  see  since  that  I  cannot, 
whilst  such  anomalous  relations  exist,  as  do  exist  between 
the  red  and  the  white  race,  be  other  than  a  degraded 
outcast." 

He  was  invited  to  go  back  to  that  loved  spot,  and 
assured  that  the  same  welcome  awaited  him  there  that  he 
had  always  experienced ;  but  he  said,  "  Oh,  name  it  not 
to  me,  sir ;  I  can  never  go  there  again !  The  very 
thought  of  those  haunts  where  I  was  once  so  happy,  and 
of  the  kindness  shown  me  there,  being  met,  as  they  are, 
and  crushed  by  the  consciousness  of  what  I  now  am,  dis- 
tracts me." 

But  he  recovered,  in  some  measure,  his  former  self- 
reliance  and  cheerfulness,  and  returned  to  open  a  law 
office  in  Jackson,  Mississippi,  where  his  prospects  were 
very  flattering.  Then  came  disappointed  love,  to  ring 
again  in  his  ears  the  doom  of  the  red  man,  "  You  are  an 
Indian — ^you  belong  to  a  degraded  race."  Hope  fled  aod 
despair  took  possession  of  him  ;  he  mounted  a  high  bluff, 
overhanging  the  river,  and  precipitated  himself  into  llio 
water  to  rise  no  more.     "  Wherefore  !  wherefore ! "    He 


IS.     But  his 

that  he  was 

nd  stifle  the 

raught.     He 

utiful  should 

unities  of  re- 

nded  him  of 

B  days  of  in- 

his  feet  and 

that  thought 

it  that  sweet 

vas  so  kindly 

IS  since  been 

hat  I  cannot, 

xist  between 

a  degraded 

ved.  spot,  and 
there  that  he 
1,  name  it  not 

!  The  very 
so  happy,  and 
,  as  they  are, 

now  am,  dis* 

3  former  self- 
0  open  a  law 
rospects  were 
love,  to  ring 
"  You  are  an 
Hope  fled  aod 
i  a  high  bluff, 
nself  into  '";0 
rcfore ! "    He 


STIGMA    ATTACHED   TO   THE   INDIANS. 


289 


might  toil  and  earn  money — riches  might  be  within  the 
reach,  even  of  an  Indian  ;  but  gold  cannot  satisfy  a  noble 
heart.  He  must  not  dream  of  honors,  he  must  not  dream 
of  domestic  1  ppiness  ;  and  what  is  gold,  aye,  what  is  life, 
when  all  this  is  denied  ? 

Let  it  suddenly  be  revealed  to  all  the  youth  in  our 
colleges,  as  an  unalterable  destiny,  that  they  are  evermore 
debarred  from  distinction,  and  the  hope  of  one  day  forming 
for  themselves  a  home,  and  being  surrounded  by  a  circle 
of  loved  ones,  and  what  would  there  be  to  allure  them  up 
the  hill  of  science  V  Would  not  every  energy  be  paralyzed, 
and  should  wo  not  with  certainty  expect  to  see  them  go 
down  to  perdition  ?  The  love  of  knowledge  merely,  is  a 
little  better  ilian  the  love  of  money;  but  both  are  very 
i^r.obie  motives  to  inspire  immortal  minds,  and  support 
them  on  the  pilgrimage  through  this  world.  The  desire 
of  the  approbation  of  heaven  and  of  being  useful  on  earth 
may  be  good,  and  perhaps  should  be  sufficient  motives ; 
but  how  many  among  the  most  cultivated  and  Christian 
would  falter,  with  only  these  to  sustain  them  ? 

With  a  majority  of  people  the  idea  is  entertained  that 
the  nature  of  the  Indian  is  so  entirely  different  from  the 
nature  of  the  Saxon.  This  is  true  only  in  one  sense — 
that  education,  and  centuries  of  indulgence  in  peculiar 
habits,  tend  to  make  them  second  nature.  The  Indian  is 
not  alone  in  loving  a  wild  roving  life,  free  from  care  and 
toil. 

So  late  as  1826,  restoration  to  home  and  kindred  was 
offered  to  several  women  who  had  been  made  captive  and 
carried  beyond  Lake  Superior,  and  they  rejected  the  boon. 
They  had  become  entirely  released  from  the  trammels  of 
so<  jpty,  and  cared  not  lo  be  encumbered  with  them  again. 

Chateaubriand  relates,  that  when  travelling  through' 
the  wilds  of  Amertca,  he  heard  that  he  had  a  countryman 
13 


290 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


(t  ( 


u 


who  had  become  a  resident  of  the  forest.    He  visited  him, 
not  so  much  with  a  desire  to  see  his  countryman,  as  of 
philosophizing  upon  his  condition.     After  several  hours' 
conversation,  he  put  his  last  grand  question  : 
*  Phillip,  are  you  happy  ? ' 

He  knew  not,  at  first,  how  to  reply.  '  Happy  ?'  said 
he,  reflecting — '  happy  ? — ^yes ; — but  happy  only  since  I 
became  a  savage.' 

"  *  And  how  do  you  pass  your  life  ? '  asked  I.  He 
laughed. 

"  *  I  understand  you,'  continued  I.  *  You  think  such 
a  question  unworthy  of  an  answer ;  but  should  you  not  like 
to  resume  your  former  mode  of  living,  and  return  to  your 
country  ? ' 

"  *  My  country — France  ?  If  I  were  not  so  old  I  should 
like  to  see  it  again.' 

" '  And  you  would  not  remaio  there  ?  '  The  motion  of 
Phillip's  head  answered  my  question  sufficiently.  *  But 
what  induced  you,'  continued  I,  '  to  become  what  you 
call  a  savage  ? ' 

*'  *  I  don't  know,'  said  he — '  instinct.' 

"  This  expression  put  an  end  to  my  doubts  and  ques- 
tioDS.  I  remained  ten  days  with  Phillip,  in  order  to  ob- 
serve him,  and  never  saw  him  swerve  for  a  single  moment 
from  the  assertion  he  had  made.  Kis  soul,  free  from  the 
conflict  of  the  social  passions,  appeared,  in  the  language 
of  the  Indian,  calm  as  the  field  of  battle,  after  the  war- 
riors had  smoked  together  their  calumet  of  peace." 

How  many  a  trapper  has  become  wed  to  a  forest  life. 
I  never  yet  heard  of  one  who  voluntarily  returned  to  the 
h  and  the  anvii.     Why,  thcD,  should  we  expect  an 


plough 


Indian  to  seek  them  ?     The  same  necessity  must  be  laid 
upon  him  as  upon  us,  ere  he  will  toil,  and  he  must  be  in- 


jti. 


le  visited  hiin, 
itryman,  as  of 
Eeveral  hours' 


L : 


'  Happy  ?'  said 
^  only  since  I 

asked  I.     He 

rou  think  such 
lid  you  not  like 
I  return  to  your 

t  so  old  I  should 

The  motion  of 
ficiently.  *  But 
some  what  you 


)ubts  and  ques- 
in  order  to  ob- 

single  moment 
d^  free  from  the 
n  the  language 

after  the  war- 
f  peace." 
to  a  forest  life, 
returned  to  the 
1  we  expect  an 
y  must  be  laid 
he  must  be  in- 


INCONSISTENCY. 


291 


I 


spired  with  the  same  motives,  ere  he  will  prefer  knowledge 
to  ignorance. 

If  there  had  been  no  wars  in  our  country,  except  be- 
tween  the  colonists  and  the  Indians,  Christianity  might 
have  been  taught  by  example  as  well  as  precept.  But 
three  times  since  the  settlement  of  America,  the  red  man 
has  been  obliged  to  witness,  and  take  part  in  bloody  con- 
flicts, between  the  very  nations  who  professed  to  come  to 
him  with  the  religion  which  condemned  war ;  and  these 
nations  were  fighting  about  the  very  lands  which  they 
were  constantly  telling  the  Indian  it  was  wrong  for  him  to 
defend  at  the  expense  of  life,  though  they  were  his  birth- 
right, and  dear  to  him,  as  the  inheritance  of  his  fathers. 
Their  invaders  fought  to  defend  what  was  not  their  own ; 
why  should  not  he  defend  what  was  his  all  1 

It  is  strange  that  there  have  been  so  many,  rather 
than  that  there  have  been  so  few,  who  were  willing  to  re- 
ceive Christianity,  and  the  arts  of  civilization,  from  their 
oppressors.  The  proud  lord  of  the  forest  never  consented 
to  become  subject  or  slave.  When  he  yielded,  it  was  to 
stern  necessity ;  and  when  we  remember  what  he  had  to 
give  up,  and  that  when  we  had  taken  from  him  his  posses- 
sions, and  all  he  held  most  dear,  giving  him  nothing  in  re- 
turn, but  the  privilege  of  living  as  best  he  could,  never 
calling  him,  or  treating  him  as  brother,  or  freeman  ;  wo 
cannot  fail  to  see  that  he  has  done  exactly  as  we  should 
have  done  in  the  same  circumstances. 

As  it  was,  the  labors  of  Eliot  and  Mayhew,  of  Kirk- 
land  and  Brainard,  and  many  more  in  modern  times,  have 
not  been  without  their  reward.  Mayhew  wrote  the  lives 
of  between  one  and  two  hundred  "  Christian  men  and 
women,  and  godly  ministers,"  and  there  is  exhibited  no 
difference  between  Indian  Christians,  and  Christians  of 
other  nations. 


292 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


What  a  beautiful  illustration  of  Christian  principle 
was  the  famous  Oneida  Chief,  Shenandoah.  For  sixty 
years  he  had  been  the  terror  of  all  who  heard  his  name, 
when  he  listened  to  the  gospel  message  from  Mr.  Kirkland, 
and  immediately  became  a  little  child,  in  meekness  and 
every  Christian  grace.  He  lived  more  than  a  hundred 
years ;  and  when,  a  little  while  before  he  died,  a  friend 
called  and  asked  concerning  his  health,  he  said, ''  I  am  an 
aged  hemlock;  the  winds  of  a  hundred  winters  have 
whistled  through  my  branches.  I  am  dead  at  the  top, 
(referring  to  his  blindness).  Why  I  yet  live,  the  Great 
Good  Spirit  only  knows.  When  I  am  dead,  bury  me  by 
the  side  of  my  good  minister  and  friend,  that  I  may  go 
up  with  him  at  the  great  resurrection." 

Kusick  was  a  Tuscarora  Chief,  and  where  shall  we 
look  for  a  nobler  instance  of  friendship  than  his  towards 
Lafayette,  or  for  Christian  principle  more  firm  and  true 
than  he  evinced  concerning  his  pension. 

In  the  war  of  the  Revolution  he  was  under  Lafayette's 
command.  Many  years  after  peace  was  concluded,  as  he 
was  passing  through  Washington,  he  accidentally  heard 
the  name  of  his  old  commander  spoken  in  the  office  where 
he  stopped  for  business.  The  moment  his  ear  caught  the 
sound,  with  eyes  lighted  and  full  of  earnestness,  he  asked : 

"  Is  he  yet  alive  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  was  the  reply,  "  ho  is  alive,  and  looking  well 
and  hearty." 

With  deep  emphasis  he  said,  "  I  am  glad  to  hear  it." 

"  Then  you  knew  Lafayette,  Kusick  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes,"  he  answered,  "  I  knew  him  well ;  and  many 
a  time  in  the  battles,  I  threw  myself  between  him  and  the 
bullets, /or  I  loved  him  .'" 

On  being  asked  if  he  had  a  commission,  he  said  "  Yes, 
General  Washington  gave  him  one,  and  ho  was  lieutenant." 


i 

I 


stian  principle 

,h.     For  sixty 

eard  his  Dame, 

Mr.  Kirkland, 

meekness  and 

han  a  hundred 

died,  a  friend 

said,  "  I  am  an 

.  winters  have 

sad  at  the  top, 

live,  the  Great 

ad,  bury  me  by 

that  I  may  go 

where  shall  we 
an  his  towards 
3  firm  and  true 

ider  Lafayette's 
joncluded,  as  he 
iidentally  heard 
the  oflSce  where 
ear  caught  the 
tness,  he  asked : 

nd  looking  well 

ad  to  hear  it." 

well ;  and  many 
een  him  and  tho 

n,  he  said  "  Yes, 
was  lieutenant." 


KUSICK. 


293 


This  suggested  to  his  friends  that  he  was  entitled  to  a 
pension,  and  on  looking  over  the  records,  the  truth  of  what 
he  said  was  confirmed,  and  he  received  one  for  several 
years. 

Afterwards,  Congress  passed  a  law  making  it  necessary 
that  each  recipient  should  swear  that  he  could  not  live 
without  the  pension.  When  the  old  chief  was  called  upon 
to  do  this,  he  said,  "  Now  here  is  my  little  log  cabin,  and 
it's  my  own ;  here's  my  patch  where  I  can  raise  corn, 
and  beans,  and  pumpkins ;  and  there  in  Lake  Oneida, 
where  I  can  catch  fish ;  with  these  I  can  make  out  to  live 
without  the  pension,  and  to  say  I  could  not,  would  be  to 
lie  to  the  Great  Spirit^  This  was  the  honor  of  an  Indian 
Chief ;  how  many  among  those  of  our  own  people  who  re- 
ceive pensions  would  have  done  likewise  for  conscience' 
sake  ?  Kusick  could  speak  the  English  language  very 
well,  but  when  he  made  an  audible  pr  .j  er  or  said  grace 
at  table,  he  used  his  native  Tuscorara,  "  because,"  said  he, 
''  wiien  I  speak  English  I  am  often  at  a  loss  for  a  word  ; 
when  therefore  I  speak  to  the  Great  Spirit,  I  do  not  like 
to  be  perplexed,  or  have  my  mind  distracted  to  look  after 
a  word.  When  I  use  my  own  language,  it  is  like  my 
breath  ;  I  am  composed."  In  this  is  exemplified  that  he 
fully  understood  the  reverence  which  was  due  to  the  Great 
Ruler. 

Instances  might  be  multiplied  a  hundred  fold,  to  prove 
that  tho  religion  of  Christ  can  soften  and  renew  the  heart 
of  the  fiercest  warrior  of  the  wilderness,  as  well  as  the 
heart  of  the  child  of  civilization.  Tho  records  of  missions 
numbers  forty  thousand  Indian  converts  ;  and,  if  only 
half  these  have  become  genuine  followers  of  the  cross  of 
Christ,  the  patient  and  faithful  missionary  has  not  labored 
in  vain. 

There  is  a  little  remnant  Btill  left  among  us ;  and  if 


fclf'i 


)1  ■  ^ 

■I  f '  • 


294 


THE   IROQUOIS. 


I 


I 


I 

I*' 

I*' 


these  are  permitted  to  perish,  it  will  not  be  the  fault  of 
our  fathers,  and  the  dark  age  in  which  they  lived.  We 
know  their  wants  and  their  capacities,  and  have  abundant 
means  for  all  the  good  we  please  to  accomplish. 

Of  the  Iroquois  there  are  three  thousand ;  of  Indians 
within  our  jurisdiction,  three  hundred  thousand.  They 
should  be  citizens  of  our  republic  ;  their  oaths  should  be 
respected  in  our  courts  of  justice ;  and  their  representa- 
tives should  be  in  our  national  councils  ;  then  we  should 
see  hope  dawn  in  their  bosoms,  and  ambition  revive  their 
energies. 

One  who  had  the  means  of  making  the  estimate,  and 
no  motive  for  stating  it  incorrectly,  says  we  have  become 
possessed  of  all  these  fair  domains  at  the  paltry  price  of 
two  cents  mid  three  quarters  an  acre  I  By  robbery  we 
have  grown  rich. 

It  was  suggested  in  Congress,  not  long  since,  that  "  a 
person  be  employed  to  collect  and  arrange  the  treaties, 
and  other  authentic  documents,  tending  to  illustrate  the 
history  of  the  relinquishment  of  land  titles  by  native 
Indian  tribes,  and  to  prepare  such  means  of  illustration 
as  may  be  necessary  for  a  full  knowledge  of  the  acquire- 
ment of  the  States  of  the  title  to  their  lands."  To  which 
it  was  answered :  ''  Let  us  do  no  such  thing.  Let  us 
rather  gather  up  and  destroy — commit  to  the  flames  all 
that  records  the  progress  of  our  acquisitions.  Leave  only 
to  tradition,  or  forget  entirely,  the  infamy  which  we  ac- 
quired with  the  titles  we  enjoy — for  who  can  look  un- 
moved upon  tl'.e  parchment  that  tolls  how  many  miles 
square  were  bought  with  a  few  strings  of  paltry  beads — 
how  the  council  fires  that  had  burned  for  ages  were  put 
out,  and  the  bands  that  gathered  round  them  for  ages 
were  scattered — their  birthrights,  their  wigwams,  and 
their  hunting  grounds  bartered  away  for  a  score  of  worth' 


ti 


V 


)e  the  fault  of 
ey  lived.  We 
have  abundant 
Usli. 

,d ;  of  Indians 
lusand.  They 
aths  should  be 
eir  representa- 
hen  we  should 
on  revive  their 

estimate,  and 
e  have  become 
paltry  price  of 
By  robbery  we 


:  since 


that 


;o  the  treaties, 

illustrate  the 

ties  by  native 

of  illustration 

of  the  acquire- 

Is."     To  which 

hing.     Let  us 

the  flames  all 

is.    Leave  only 

y  which  we  ac- 

I  can  look  un- 

)w  many  miles 

paltry  beads — 

ages  were  put 

them  for  ages 

wigwams,   and 

score  of  worth* 


SABBATH   MORNING    AMONG   THE   CHIPPEWAS. 


295 


less  rifles,  or  a  bundle  of  useless  trinkets, — how  we  first 
debased,  and  then  defrauded,  the  children  of  the  forest 
out  of  all  their  hills  and  valleys,  their  lakes  and  rivers, 
over  which  are  scattered  the  millions  whose  representa- 
tives are  asked  to  perpetuate  the  records  of  wrongs  in- 
flicted by  their  ancestors.  Doubtless  there  was  necessity 
for  the  wrong — for  the  extermination  of  one  race,  for  the 
increase  of  another.  But  there  exists  no  necessity  that 
we  should  make  a  parade  of  the  means  by  which  that  ex- 
termination was  effected.  They  may  be  forgiven;  we 
may,  at  least,  forget  them."  * 

It  is  too  late  to  blot  out  these  dark  records  ;  but  it  is 
not  yet  too  late  to  prove  that  we 

"  Are  wiser  than  our  *  Fathers '  were, 
And  better  know  the  Lord." 

It  is  confidently  predicted  that  we  are  on  the  verge  of 
another  Indian  war,  more  terrible  than  our  country  ever 
experienced ;  and  yet  with  our  rich,  powerful,  and  con- 
solidated government,  it  is  perfectly  possible  to  present 
this  war.  The  Indian  of  the  West  is  the  same  as  the 
Indian  of  the  East ;  and  it  is  a  thousand  times  better  to 
soften  his  heart  by  kindness  than  to  pierce  it  by  a  bullet. 

A  traveller  describes  the  following  Sabbath  morning 
scene,  far  beyond  the  confines  of  civilization,  among  the 
Chippewas,  Menomonies,  and  Winnebagoes,  where  only 
the  trader  and  the  missionary  had  been. 

"  The  dawn  of  this  Sabbath  morning  was  peculiarly 
beautiful ;  *  rosy  fingers '  did  seem  '  to  unbar  the  gates  of 
light.'  Violet  and  purple  with  a  wide  and  widening  circle 
of  '  orient  pearl,'  all  met  my  eye  with  their  charming  and 
chastening  influences — and  then  there  was  such  silence  I 

*  Daily  Times,  February  12th,  1856. 


296 


THE    IROQUOIS. 


s 


Not  a  leaf  rustled,  and  the  waves  broke  in  softer  murmur 
on  the  shore.  Yet,  all  this  silence  was  broken  in  upon 
this  morning — ^for,  just  between  the  time  when  the  east- 
ern sky  was  made  mellow  with  the  sun's  light,  and  the 
light  began  to  tip  the  tops  of  tree  and  mountain,  and  all 
was  so  quiet,  my  ears  were  greeted  by  sweet  sounds  of 
music  !  They  came  from  a  lodge  of  Christian  Indians, 
which  was  hard  by  in  the  woods.  They  had  risen  with 
the  day  '  to  worship  God  1 '  They  sang  in  three  parts, 
base,  tenor,  and  treble,  and  with  a  time  so  true,  and  with 
voices  so  sweet,  as  to  add  harmony  even  to  nature  itself. 
Notes  of  thrush  and  nightingale  sound  sweeter  when 
poured  forth  amidst  the  grove ;  so  sounded  those  of  these 
forest  warblers  in  the  midst  of  the  green  foliage  and  in  the 
stillness  of  the  woods.  I  attended  their  worship,  and  was 
present  with  *;hem  again  in  the  evening  ;  and  as  I  listened 
to  their  songs  of  praise,  and  their  prayers,  I  felt  humbled 
and  ashamed  of  my  country,  in  view  of  the  wrongs  it  had 
inflicted,  and  still  continues  to  injlict^  upon  these  desolate 
and  destitute  children  of  the  forest.  There  were  flowers 
and  gems  there,  which  needed  only  to  be  cultivated  and 
polished,  to  insure  from  the  one  the  emission  of  as  sweet 
odors  as  ever  regaled  the  circles  of  the  civilized ;  and 
from  the  other,  a  brilliance  as  dazzling  as  ever  sparkled  in 
the  diadem  of  queenly  beauty.  And  yet  they  were,  and 
are,  neglected,  trodden  down,  and  treated  as  outcasts !  " 

But  no  missionary  society  has  the  means  of  accom- 
plishing the  work  of  carrying  the  gospel  and  education,  to 
such  a  multitude  of  roving  people,  over  such  a  wide  ex- 
tent of  country.  This  is  the  duty  of  the  government,  and 
if  wisely  planned,  would  not  be  so  difficult  of  execution. 
It  would  not  cost  so  much  as  a  war,  and  would  save  us  from 
tho  retribution  which  must  certainly  come  upon  those  who 
make   cruelty  and    treachery  the   purchase  money  with 


DOOM  OF  THE   INDIAK. 


297 


lofter  murmur 
oken  in  upon 
vhen  the  east- 
light,  and  the 
iintain,  and  all 
reet  sounds  of 
istian  Indians, 
lad  risen  with 
in  three  parts, 
,  true,  and  with 
to  nature  itself, 
sweeter   when 
1  those  of  these 
)liage  and  in  the 
worship,  and  was 
,nd  as  I  listened 
1, 1  felt  humhled 
le  wrongs  it  had 
on  these  desolate 
ere  were  flowers 
cultivated  and 
3ion  of  as  sweet 
civilized;  and 
ever  sparkled  in 
t  they  were,  and 
I  as  outcasts ! " 
means  of  accom- 
ind  education,  to 
such  a  wide  ex- 
!  government,  and 
;ult  of  execution, 
ould  save  us  from 
e  upon  those  who 
laso  money  with 


-which  to  gain  territory,  and  enrich  it  with  the  blood  of 
the  innocent  and  helpless. 

Extinction  may  be  the  doom  of  the  Indian,  but  it  does 
not  require  a  prophet's  authority  to  enable  us  to  say, 
"  Woe  unto  those  by  whom  this  offence  cometh." 


13* 


ifj      .    [  ■ 

( 

•Kti' 

'A  1; 

i 

f'l: 

■|  ■ 

1 

1 

■'I'l!. 

APPENDIX. 


THE  LANGUAGE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 


i<i 


If  the  Indian  should  be  entirelj  banished  from  our  borders, 
the  memory  of  him  cannot  die.  For,  as  I  have  elsewhere 
quoted, 

"  Theii  names  are  on  our  waters, 
We  cannot  wash  them  out" 

The  dialects  of  the  Six  ITations  bore  a  strong  resemblance 
to  each  other,  though  there  were  still  differences  which  marked 
them  as  distinct.  Those  who  understood  one  were  able  to 
converse  in  each  of  the  others,  and  in  council  the  representa- 
tives of  each  nation  had  no  difficulty  in  interpreting  what 
was  said  by  all.  The  Mohawk  and  Oneida  strongly  resembled 
each  other,  and  the  Seneca  and  Oayuga  were  the  same.  The 
Onondaga  "  was  considered  by  the  Iroquois  as  the  most  fin- 
ished and  majestic,"  while  to  our  ears  it  is  the  most  harsh,  and 
the  Oneida  the  most  musical. 

T}iey  used  nineteen  letters,  having  no  labials  or  liquids,  ex- 
cept occasionally  is  heard  among  the  Mohawks  the  sound  of 
L  and  among  the  Tuscaroras  the  sound  of  F.  The  Senecas 
and  Oayugastalk  all  day  without  shutting  their  lips,  and  there 
are  no  oaths  in  their  language.  Before  an  Indian  can  be  pro- 
fane he  must  learn  French  or  F.nglish,  and  his  language  is  so 
constructed  too,  that  evasion  is  almost  impossible.  Metaphors 
are  in  constant  requisition  in  Indian  speeches  and  conversation. 
If  one  comes  in  when  the  weather  is  very  cold,  he  says,  "  It  is 


APPENDIX. 


299 


joia 

om  our  borders, 
have  elsewhere 


)ng  resemblance 
es  which  marked 
me  were  able  to 

the  representa- 
iterpreting  what 
rongly  resembled 

the  same.  The 
as  the  most  fin- 
5  most  harsh,  and 

ials  or  liquids,  ex- 
s^ks  the  sound  of 
F.  The  Senecas 
)ir  lips,  and  there 
adian  can  be  pro- 
kis  language  is  so 
3ible.  Metaphors 
and  conversation. 
Id^he  says,  "It  is 


a  nose-cutting  morning."  If  he  wishes  to  reflect  upon  a  pro- 
position before  deciding,  he  says,  "I  will  put  the  matter 
under  my  pillow,  and  let  you  know."  He  says  of  an  emaciated 
person,  "  He  has  dry  bones."  A  steamboat  is  called  "  The  ship 
impelled  by  fire."  A  horse  is  a  "  log  carrier,''^  a  cow  a  "  cud 
cJiewer,^^  and  a  goat  a  "scented  animal." 

In  ancient  times  when  the  hunters  encamped  in  the  woods, 
they  kept  warm  by  covering  themselves  with  boughs  of 
hemlock,  and  now  if  an  Indian  is  about  to  repair  his  cabin, 
he  says,  "  I  will  surround  it  with  hemlock  boughs,"  meaning 
I  will  make  it  warm  and  comfortable.  When  a  chief  has  made 
a  speech  at  the  opening  of  a  Council,  he  finishes  with  saying, 
"  the  doors  are  now  open,  you  can  proceed."  The  messen- 
ger of  the  Six  Nations  to  the  Senecas  was  called  "  the  man 
who  carries  the  fire  or  smoke,"  meaning  that  he  had  charge  of 
the  Council-fire  and  kept  it  bright. 

The  Loquois  call  themselves  the  real  people;  and  in 
speeches  or  conversation,  if  allusion  is  made  to  white  people, 
they  say  invariably  "  our  younger  brethren."  The  President 
of  the  United  States  is  called  "  the  city-eater,"  and  "Washing- 
ton, "  the  residence  of  the  city-eater." 

The  Iroquois  had  the  masculine,  and  feminine,  and  neuter 
genders.  The  masculine  and  feminine  were  denoted,  some- 
times by  giving  the  same  animal  difierent  names,  in  the  way 
we  say  buck  and  doe,  and  sometimes  by  prefixing  words 
which  signify  male  and  female.  All  inanimate  objects  were 
placed  in  the  neuter  gender.  They  had  not  the  indefinite 
article  a  or  an,  but  used  the,  and  the  usual  varieties  of  ad- 
jective and  adverb.  They  abounded  in  interjections,  but  had 
no  participles.  As  a  substitute  for  the  infinitive  mood  they 
used  the  word  that.  Instead  of  saying,  "Direct  He-mo  to 
come  and  give  us  rain,"  they  said,  "Direct  that  He-mo  come 
and  give  us  rain." 

They  could  count  by  one,  two,  three,  nearly  to  a  hundred, 
and  used  the  numerals,  firstly,  secondly,  thirdly,  &c. 

The  followiog  are  specimens  of  names,  with  the  Lord's 
prayer  and  a  hymn  in  Seneca. 


m' 


•$ 

■  ;f ' 

i"' 

■■'? 
%■ 

-■*  ■, 
■'■■ 

1 

» 

W  ^'* 

|- 

i 

■k 

I   '. 

t 

'^  • 

H''' 

t' 

Tniii 

t'-. 

Jilii' 

■i-,  ■ ' 

;fk 

■^ 

^ 

■?'«': 

y. 

^i;,!'' 

r 

J: 

■  ^"j 

y 

••';;■:'; 

v.- 

1  ■ 

11 

X 

J;;,!  ■ 

k 

i  . 

■  j'. 

% 

if' 


^P 


300  APPBNBIX. 

0-hee-yu,  The  beautiful  river. 

Os-we-go,  Flowing  out. 

On-yit-Lah,  Bird  of  the  strong  wing. 

Ga-no-so-te  A  house. 

0-on-do-te  A  tree. 

0-ya  Fruit. 

Je-da-do  A  bird. 

0-ya-han  Apples  split  open. 

Ga-no-geh  Oil  on  the  water. 

Ga-os6-ha  Baby  frame. 

THE  LOEd's  PEAYEB. 

Gwa-nee'  ga-o-ya'-geh  che-de-oh';  sa-sa-no-do^'-geli-teek ; 
ga-o'  ne-dwa  na^  sa-nunk-tJi;  na-huk'  ne-yii-weh''  na  yo-an'- 
ja-geh  ha'-ne-sii-ne-go^-dii  ha  ne-de-o^-da  na'  ga-o-yii'-geb. 
Dun-da-gwii-e^-wii-sa-gwus  na'  ong-wi-wti-na-ark-seh^  na'  da- 
ya-ke'-wa-sii-gwii'-seli  na'  onk-ke-wa-na'-ii-ge.  Dii-ge-o'-na- 
geh'-wen-nia'-heh-da  na^  ong-wa-quii^  Su-nnk'  na-huh'  beh''- 
squa-ii  ha'  gii-yeh  na'  wa-ate-keb'  na-gwa'  na'  dii-gwii-yii- 
duh'-nuh-onk  ha'  gii-yeh  na'  wJi-ate-keh';  na'  seh-eh'  na 
ese'  sa-wa  na'  o-nuk-ta'  kuh'  na'  ga-hus-ta-seh'  kuk'  na' 
da-ga-S-sii-uh'.    Na-huh'-ne-yii-weh.* 

*  If  an  attempt  should  he  made  to  give  a  literal  translation  of 
each  word,  or  phrase,  it  would  render  transposition  necessary,  and 
change  the  formation  of  the  words  in  some  respects,  as  the  follow- 
ing will  exhibit. 

Gwa-nee',  che-de-oh'  ga-o'-ya-geh,      ga-sa-nuh',     ese'  BS-uuk-ta' 
Our  Father,  which  art  in     heaven,    hallowed  be  thy  name,  thy    kingdom 

g^-oh'   ese'  sne'-go-eh    ne-ya-weh'  yo  an-ja'-geh  ha'  ne-de-o'-deh 
come,      thy        will        be       done  on        earth         as  it  is 

gS-o'-ya-geh.      Dun-da-gwa-e'-wa-sa-gwus      ong-wa-yeh'-his-heh' 
In        heavoD.  Forgive  us  our  debts 

da-ya-ke'-a-wa-sS-gwus-seh'  ho-yeh'his.    Dii-ge-oh'  ne'  na-geh' 
as  we  forgi\eour  debtors.  Give         us       this 

wen-nis'-heh-deh  e'  na-ha-da-wen-nis'-heh-geh  o-a'-qwa.  Hji-squii'-ah 
day  our  daily  bread.  Lead 

e'    sa-no'    ha'     wa-ate-keh',     na-gwa'     da-gwa-ya-dan'-nake    ne' 
us      not       into       temptation,  but  deliver  A-ora  us 

wa-ate-keh'  na-seh'-eh  nees'       o-nuk'-ta  na-kuh'  na  ga-hus'tes-heh, 
evil,  for        thine  is  the  kingdom,      and      the  power, 

na-kuh'  da-ga-a-sa-oh'. 
and  the  glory. 

Na-huh'-se-ya-weh. 


©■ 


Ding. 


)-do^-geli-teek ; 

'eh^  na  yo-an^- 

ga-o-ya^-geh. 

,rk-seh^  na'  da- 
Dil-ge-o'-na- 
na-huh'  heli^- 
la^  dJi-gwa-yii- 
la'  seh-eh'  na 
-seV  kuk'  na' 


al  translation  of 
1  necessary,  and 
8,  as  the  folio w- 

ese'  eS-iJuk-ta' 
fie,  thj    kingdoHi 
ha'  ne-de-o'-deh 
as  it  is 

■wa-yeh'-hk-heh' 
debts 

e-oh'  ne'  na-geh' 

ro  US  this 

wa.  Ha-sqna'-ah 
Lead 

ii-dan'-nake     ne' 
ver  from  us 

a  ga-hus'tes-heh, 

le  power, 

I'-se-ya-weh. 


APPENDIX.  30 1 

(Specimen  qf  Indian  Jlymn.) 
GAA  NAH  8.      L.  M. 

Ogwenyoo'  gSh',  agadeah'seek 
Heh  syahdaadeh,  lis'  ne  Jesus; 
Tah'ah  ;  tdh  Sh  deh  o  gwe  nyooh', 
Neh  huh'  noo'wak  ni  gooh'da  aak. 

lis,  sah  ah,  ji  sa'yah  daa  gwah', 
Na  gat  hwa  is  hah ;  aa'ga  noh, 
Gih  shah',  deh  sa'yah  da  geh  hfih, 
A  y6  d^s'theh  oh,  naeh,  neneh. 

Deh  oi'wa  yas  doh  na'ga  deah, 
lis  ne  gah  sa  dya  nohk'dah  oh 
Heyoanjadeh,  kuh,  hegohheh; 
lis,  kuh,  des  gah'nya  doh  dy6tgont. 

Del  oi  wah'gSh  na  ga  deah  seek ; 
Tahah,  waeh,  Nais,  heh  sa  deah  oh, 
Oi  wa  nea'gwat  ni  ya'wah  oh, 
Sgie'yahsech  heh,  degayahsont. 

Da  gyah'da  geh'hS  aak',  dih'  sho, 
Ne'  dy6tgont  neh  &  ges' nyet  haak', 
He  ni  sah'sanno'nil  &  gwat, 
Kuh'  he  ni  sa  da  ni  daa  oh. 

The  number  of  Senecas  at  the  last  census  was  2,449. 

The  three  Reservations  which  now  remain  to  the  Indian  in 
Western  New  York,  are  called  Tonawanda,  Cattaraugus,  Al- 
leghany, containing  in  all  about  sixty-six  thousand  acres. 
No  white  family  is  allowed  to  settle  upon  these  lands,  and  the 
law  forbids  the  trusting  of  an  Indian  or  the  selling  him  intox- 
icating drinks. 

There  are  at  present  14  Schools,  16  Teachers,  480  Scholars, 
one  Boarding  School  with  60  scholars,  8  Missionaries,  47 
Church  members. 


302 


APPENDIX. 


'''*^* 


NO.  II. 


i 


I; 


t 


During  the  winter  of  1855  a  bill  was  passed  by  the  Legisla- 
ture of  New  York,  incorporating  an  Orphan  Asylum,  and 
appropriating  two  thousand  dollars  ($2000)  for  a  building,  and 
ten  dollars  a  year  for  each  child  received  and  retained  under 
the  care  of  the  managers.  This  is  one  of  the  most  important 
benefits  conferred  upon  the  Indians.  By  it  a  home  will  be 
provided  for  the  destitute  little  ones  of  this  scattered  people. 
And  by  beginning  early,  an  opportunity  will  be  afforded  of 
secnring  to  them  a  proper  course  of  moral  and  physical  train- 
ing, and  more  surely  than  by  any  other  way  preserve  them 
from  destruction. 

The  experiment  was  first  tried  by  taking  a  few  into  the 
family  of  a  benevolent  lady  residing  on  the  Reservation,  which, 
proving  successful,  an  earnest  appeal  for  aid  was  made  to  the 
State. 

The  institution  is  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the 
"  Thomas  Asylum  for  orphan  and  destitute  Indian  Children," 
as  a  tribute  of  acknowledgment  to  the  individual  whose  name 
;t  bears,  for  his  long  and  earnest  efforts  to  assist  and  benefit 
the  Seneca  nation. 

It  is  located  upon  the  Cattaraugus  Reservation,  but  is  in- 
tended to  receive  children  from  all  the  Reservations  in  the 
State  of  New  York.  As  the  appropriation  of  ten  dollars  a 
year  for  the  support  and  education  of  each  child,  is  quite  'n- 
sufficient  for  the  purpose,  it  is  hoped  that  if  the  attempt  to 
preserve  from  destruction  this  noble  race  should  promise  suc- 
cess, that  the  State  of  New  \..brk — the  only  State  on  the  At- 
lantic borders  of  this  Confederation,  in  which  an  organized 
body  of  the  once  numerous  aborigines  of  our  country  has 
been  permitted  to  remain — will  hereafter  further  extend  to- 
wards this  institution  its  fostering  care  and  aid. 


( 


by  the  Legisla- 
n  Asylum,  and 
r  a  building,  and 
I  retained  under 
most  important 
a  home  wiP.  be 
icattered  people. 

be  aflfbrded  of 
I  physical  train- 
j  preserve  them 

;  a  few  into  the 
lervation,  which, 
noA  made  to  the 

be  name  of  the 

ndian  ChUdren," 

ual  whose  name 

jsist  and  benefit 

ration,  but  is  in- 
lervations  in  the 
of  ten  dollars  a 
[jhild,  is  quite  m- 
f  the  attempt  to 
uld  promise  suc- 
State  on  the  At- 
ch  an  organized 
our  country  has 
irther  extend  to- 
d. 


APPENDIX. 


303 


NO.  III. 

The  following  documents,  from  the  Indian  State  Depaet- 
MBNT,  win  show  the  advance  which  has  been  made  in  the 
science  of  government,  and  the  art  of  diplomacy : 

The  nation  has  recently  undergone  quite  a  revolution,  and 
the  people  have  substituted  a  popular  Representative  Govern- 
ment, for  the  government  of  the  Chiefs,  which  has  heretofore 
existed.  At  a  Convention,  held  at  Cattaraugus  on  the  4th  of 
December,  1848,  the  delegates,  in  a  very  formal  manner,  abro- 
gated the  old  government,  and  proclaimed  the  new  order  of 
things,  very  much  after  the  manner  of  the  founders  of  our 
government.  Their  Declaration  is  not  quite  as  long  as  the 
Mecklenburgh  meeting,  while  its  style  is  not  unlike  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson's. The  Constitution,  defining  the  duties  and  powers  of 
the  oflScers  of  government,  is  quite  detailed.  The  Supreme 
Judiciary  is  composed  of  three  judges,  who  are  designated 
Peace-Makers.  The  legislative  powers  of  the  nation  are 
vested  in  a  Council  of  eighteen,  chosen  by  the  universal  suf- 
frages of  the  nation ;  but  no  treaty  is  to  be  binding,  until  it 
is  ratified  by  three  fourths  of  all  the  voters,  and  three  fourths 
of  all  the  mothers  in  the  nation  !  This  may  be  considered  an 
advance,  even  beyond  the  legislative  theory  of  the  French 
Assembly.  One  provision  of  this  Constitution  exhibits  a  de- 
gree of  national  frugality,  well  worthy  of  imitation  by  those 
gentlemen  in  our  own  Congress,  who  spend  so  much  of  the 
"  dear  people's  "  money  in  talking  about  their  rights  and  in- 
terests. The  Seneca  Constitution  declares  that  the  compensa- 
tion of  members  of  the  Council,  shall  be  one  dollar  each  per 
day,  while  in  session ;  "  lut  no  member  shall  receive  more  thin 
twenty-six  (Hollars  during  any  one  year."  With  such  a  pro- 
vision, they  will  need  no  one-hour  rule,  and  there  -will  be  no 
danger  of  their  Council  becoming  "  en  permanence^ 

Among  the  acts  of  the  Convention,  was  the  re-naming  an 
estimable  citizen  of  Baltimore— Philip  E.  Thomas ;  a  gentle- 


I  % 


304 


APPENDIX. 


man  whom  the  Senecas  recognize  as  an  old  and  true  friend. 
In  acknowledgment  of  the  many  kindnesses  which  they  had 
received  at  his  hands,  they  had  on  a  former  occasion  made 
Mr.  Thomas  a  Chief,  giving  him  the  name  of  Sagaoh  (Benev- 
olent). But  now  it  hecame  necessary  to  give  him  a  new  title, 
and  he  was  accordingly  named  ffai-wa-noh,  which  signifies 
the  Ambassador.  The  minutes  of  the  Convention  state  that 
this  ceremony  was  performed  amidst  "  great  sensation^  and 
applause  of  approbation  /  " 

Deolabation  of  the  Seneca  Nation  of  Indians — Changing 

their  form  of  Government^  and  adopting  a  Constitutional 

Charter : 

We,  the  people  of  the  Seneca  Nation  of  Indians,  by  virtue 
of  the  right  inherent  in  every  people,  trusting  in  the  justice 
and  necessity  of  our  undertaking,  and  humbly  invoking  the 
blessing  of  the  God  of  Nations  upon  our  efforts  to  improve 
our  civil  condition,  and  to  secure  to  our  nation  the  administra- 
tion of  equitable,  wholesome  laws,  do  hereby  abolish,  abro- 
gate and  annul  our  form  of  government  by  Chiefs,  because  it 
has  failed  to  answer  the  purposes  for  which  all  governments 
should  be  created. 

It  affords  no  security  in  the  enjoyment  cf  property. 

It  provides  no  laws  regulating  the  institution  of  marriage, 
but  tolerates  polygamy. 

It  makes  no  provision  for  the  poor,  but  leaves  the  destitute 
to  perish. 

It  leaves  the  people  dependent  on  foreign  aid  for  the  means 
of  education. 

It  has  no  judiciary,  nor  executive  departments. 

It  is  an  irresponsible,  self-created  aristocracy. 

Its  powers  are  absolute  and  unlimited  in  assigning  away 
the  peoplo^s  rights ;  but  indefinite  and  not  exercised  in  making 
municipal  regulations  for  their  benefit  or  protection. 

We  cannot  enumerate  the  evils  growing  out  of  a  system  so 
defective,  nor  calculate  its  overpowering  weight  on  the  pro- 
gress of  improvement. 

But  to  remedy  these  defects,  we  proclaim  and  establish  the 


I 


'\ 


and  true  friend, 
which  they  had 
occasion  made 
Sagaoh  (Benev- 
him  a  new  title, 
,  which  signifies 
ntion  state  that 
t  sejisation,  and 


UlTub— Changing 
a  Constitutional 

idians,  by  virtue 
g  in  the  justice 
>ly  invoking  the 
forts  to  improve 
I  the  administra- 
)y  abolish,  abro- 
Jhiefs,  because  it 
all  governments 

property. 

ion  of  marriage, 

tves  the  destitute 

lid  for  the  means 

lents. 

icy. 

1  assigning  away 

jrcised  in  making 

;ection. 

ut  of  a  system  so 

jight  on  the  pro- 

and  establish  the 


APPENDIX. 


305 


I 


following  Constitution,  or  Charter,  and  implore  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  and  the  State  of  New  York,  to  aid 
in  providing  us  with  laws,  under  which  progress  shall  be 
possible. 

Sec.  1.  Our  Government  shall  have  a  Legislative,  Execu- 
tive, and  Judiciary  Departments. 

Seo.  2.  The  legislative  power  shall  be  vested  in  a  Council 
of  eighteen  members,  who  shall  be  termed  the  Councillors  of 
the  Seneca  Nation,  and  who  shall  be  elected  annually  on  the 
first  Tuesday  in  May  in  each  year  ;  and  who  shall  be  appor- 
tioned to  each  Reservation,  according  to  its  population — two 
thirds  of  whom  assembled  in  regular  session,  and  duly  organ- 
ized, shall  constitute  a  quorum,  and  be  competent  for  the 
transaction  of  business ;  but  to  all  bills  for  the  appropriation 
of  public  moneys,  the  assent  of  two  thirds  of  the  members 
elected  shall  be  necessary,  in  order  that  the  bill  should  become 
a  law. 

Seo.  3.  The  executive  power  shall  be  vested  in  a  Presi- 
dent, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
Council — having  only  a  casting  vote  therein — and  to  see  that 
all  laws  are  duly  executed ;  and  to  communicate  to  the  Coun- 
cil, at  every  session,  a  statement  of  the  condition  of  the  na- 
tional business,  and  to  recommend  for  the  action  of  the  Coun- 
cil such  matters  as  he  may  deem  expedient.  In  the  absence 
of  the  President,  the  Council  may  choose  a  presiding  oflScer 
pro  tempore. 

Seo.  4.  The  judiciary  power  shall  be  vested  in  three  Peace- 
Makers  on  each  Reservation ;  and  two  of  whom  shall  have 
power  to  hold  courts,  subject  to  an  appeal  to  the  Council,  and 
to  such  courts  o*'  the  State  of  New  York  as  the  Legislature 
thereof  shall  permit.  The  jurisdiction,  forms  of  process,  and 
proceeding  in  the  Peace-Makers'  courts,  shall  bo  the  same  us 
the  courts  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  except  in  the  proof  of  wills,  and  the  settlement  of  do- 
ceased  persons'  estates — in  which  cases  the  Peace-Makers 
shall  have  such  power  as  shall  be  conferred  by  law. 

Seo.  6.  All  causes  over  which  the  Peace-Makers  have  not 
jurisdiction,  may  be  heard  before  the  Council,  or  such  courts 


1.. 


306 


APPENDIX. 


I 


of  the  State  of  New  York  as  the  Legislature  thereof  shall 
permit. 

Seo.  6.  The  power  of  making  treaties  shall  be  vested  in 
the  Council ;  but  no  treaty  shall  be  binding  upon  the  nation 
until  the  same  shall  be  submitted  to  the  people,  and  be  ap- 
proved by  three  fourths  of  all  the  legal  voters,  and  also  by 
three  fourths  of  all  the  mothers  in  the  nation. 

Seo.  7.  There  shall  be  a  clerk  and  treasurer,  and  superin- 
tendent of  schools,  and  overseers  of  the  poor,  and  assessors, 
and  overseers  of  highways,  whose  duties  shall  be  regulated  by 
law. 

Seo.  8.  Every  oflacer  who  shall  be  authorized  to  receive 
public  money,  shall  be  required  to  give  such  security  as  the 
President  and  the  attorney  for  the  Seneca  nation  shall  approve. 

Sec.  9.  There  shall  be  a  marshal,  and  two  deputies,  on 
each  Reservation  (Cattaraugus  and  Allegany),  who  shall  exe- 
cute all  processes  issued  by  the  courts,  and  do  such  other  duties 
as  shall  be  prescribed  by  law. 

Seo.  10.  All  oflScers  named  in  this  Constitution,  or  Charter, 
shall  be  chosen  at  the  Sume  time,  in  the  same  manner,  and  for 
the  same  time,  as  members  of  the  Council,  and  vacancies 
occurring  in  any  office  shall  be  filled  in  the  manner  to  be 
prescribed  i>y  law ;  and  every  male  Indian  of  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years  and  upwards,  either  residing  on  one  of  the  Reserva- 
tions (the  Cattaraugus,  Allegan  ,  or  Oil  Spring),  or  owning, 
possessing,  and  occupying  any  lands  upon  either  of  said  Reser- 
vations, and  which  lands  may  have  been  taxed  for  highways, 
or  other  purposes,  shall  bo  entitled  to  vote  at  all  elections. 

Seo.  11.  Any  legal  voter  shall  be  eligible  to  any  office 
named  in  this  Constitution  or  Charter ;  and  all  officers  elect 
shall  be  inducted  into  office,  and  if  necessary  shall  bo  impeached 
by  the  use  of  such  forms  and  regulations  as  shall  be  pre- 
scribed by  law. 

Seo.  12.  The  compensation  of  members  of  the  Council  shall 
be  one  dollar  per  day  while  in  session ;  but  no  member  shall 
receive  more  than  twenty-six  dollars  in  any  one  year.  The 
compensation  of  all  the  officers  shall  be  proscribed  by  law. 

Seo.  18.  The  Oovocil  shall  meet  annually  on  the  first  Tues- 


e  thereof  Bhal! 

ill  be  vested  in 
pon  the  nation 
)ple,  and  be  ap- 
rs,  and  also  by 

jr,  and  superin- 
•,  and  assessors, 
be  regulated  by 

rized  to  receive 
security  as  the 
>n  shall  approve, 
(vo  deputies,  on 
,  who  shall  exe- 
juch  other  duties 

ition,  or  Charter, 
manner,  and  for 
I,  and  vacancies 
e  manner  to  be 
e  age  of  twenty- 

of  the  Reserva- 
ing),  or  owning, 
er  of  said  Reser- 
)d  for  highways, 

all  elections. 

e  to  any  oflSce 

all  officers  elect 
lall  bo  impeached 

as  shall  bo  pro- 

tlio  Council  shall 
no  member  shall 
one  year.    The 
ribed  by  law. 
on  the  first  Tues- 


APPENDIX. 


307 


day  in  June,  and  extra  sessions  may  be    onvened  by  the  Pre- 
sident at  any  time  he  shall  think  proper. 

Seo.  14.  The  Council  shall  have  power  to  make  any  laws 
not  inconsistent  with  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  or 
of  the  State  of  New  York. 

Sko.  16.  All  offences  which  shall  be  punishable  by  the 
laws  of  the  United  States,  or  of  the  State  of  New  York,  shall 
be  tried  and  punished  in  the  Peace- Makers'  Court,  or  before 
the  Council,  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  law. 

Seo.  16.  The  right  of  any  member  of  the  ancient  confede- 
racy of  the  Iroquois  to  the  occupancy  of  our  lands,  and  other 
privileges,  shall  be  respected  as  heretofore ;  and  the  Council 
shall  pass  laws  for  the  admission  of  any  Indian  of  other  tribes 
or  nations  to  citizenship  and  adoption  into  the  Seneca  ration 
of  Indians  by  his  or  her  application,  for  his,  or  herself,  or 
family. 

Sko.  17.  This  Charter  may  be  altered  or  amended  by  a 
Council  of  the  people,  convened  for  that  purpose,  on  three 
months'  previous  notice,  by  a  vote  of  two  thirds  of  the  legal 
voters  present  at  such  convention. 

Seo.  18.  The  saw-mills  on  the  different  Reservations,  now 
in  operation,  are  hereby  declared  to  be  national  property,  and 
the  funds  accruing  therefrom  shall  be  by  the  CouncU  appropri- 
ated to  national  purposes.  But  nothing  in  this  Charter  shall 
be  construed  as  prohibiting  the  erection  of  mills  and  other 
works  for  manufacturing  or  other  purposes,  by  any  private 
individual,  upon  his  own  premises,  provided  that  in  so  doing 
he  do  not  trespass  upon  the  rights  of  any  other  individual ; 
and  all  such  erections  by  individuals  shall  be  respected  as 
strictly  private  property. 

Seo.  19.  The  laws  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of 
New  York  for  the  protection  and  improvement  of  the  Seneca 
nation  of  Indians,  and  also  all  laws  and  regulations  heretofore 
adopted  by  the  Chiefs,  in  legal  council  assembled,  shall  con- 
tinue in  full  force  and  effect  as  heretofore,  except  so  far  as 
they  are  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  thi?  Constitution 
or  Charter. 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  above  copy  has  been  examined 


308 


APPENDIX. 


^ 


and  compared  with  the  original,  now  on  file  in  the  Archives 
of  the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians,  by  me,  and  is  a  correct  tran- 
script of  the  same  and  of  the  whole  of  said  Declaration,  Con- 
stitution, and  Charter. 

William  Jkmerson, 
Clerk  of  the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians, 
Cattaraugus  Reservation,  Erie  County. 
New  Yoek,  December  5,  1848. 

RESOLUTIONS, 
Adopted  by  the  Convention  of  the  Seneca  Nation  of  Indians^ 

December  4th^  1848. 

Sesolved, — That  this  Convention  feel  grateful  for  the  re- 
ligious and  scientific  instruction  which  benevolent  societies  and 
individuals  have  bestowed  upon  us,  as  well  as  for  the  introduc- 
tion of  proper  means  among  us  for  our  improvement;  and  par- 
ticularly do  we  desire  to  express  our  gratitude  to  the  Society  of 
Friends ;  they  were  the  first  to  introduce  the  means  for  our  cul- 
ture and  improvement,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  our  education 
and  civilization,  by  which  means  we  have  become  wiser  and 
enlightened,  and  been  enabled  to  see  and  understand  our  rights ; 
they  also  befriended  and  aided  us  when  friendless,  and  without 
means  to  sustain  ourselves  in  time  of  peril — always  zealous 
and  unremitting  in  their  labors  for  our  welfare.  Also  to  the 
American  Bocrd  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  in 
sending  us  missionaries  and  teachers  to  enlighten  our  minds, 
and  direct  us  to  the  true  light,  and  teach  us  the  plan  of  sal- 
vation :  and  also  the  State  of  New  York,  for  their  benevolent 
etforts  in  enacting  laws  for  our  protection  and  improvement, 
as  well  as  for  the  large  and  generous  appropriations  made  by 
them  for  the  erection  of  school-houses,  and  the  payment  of 
school  teachers  among  our  people,  and  we  desire  that  these 
kind  olfices  may  be  continued. 

lieaolved, — That  inasmuch  as  we  have  abolished  our  former 
Government ;  tua.  by  so  doing  all  appointments  have  now  be- 
come annulled ;  therefore 

Betolved^ — That  the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians  in  this  Gen- 
eral Convention  assembled,  do  hereby  express  their  thanks  to 


n  tlie  Archives 
a  correct  tran- 
2claration,  Oon- 

ERSON, 

of  Indians, 
►n,  Erie  County. 


Hon  of  Indians^ 

;eful  for  the  re- 
ent  societies  and 
for  the  introduc- 
reraent;  andpar- 
to  the  Society  of 
leans  for  our  oul- 
i  of  our  education 
come  wiser  and 
stand  our  rights ; 
less,  and  without 
—always  zealous 
ire.    Also  to  the 
eign  Missions,  in 
jhten  our  minds, 
the  plan  of  sal- 
their  benevolent 
id  improvement, 
riations  made  by 
the  payment  of 
desire  that  these 

lished  our  former 
snts  have  uow  be- 

iians  in  this  Gen- 
B8  their  thanks  to 


APPENDIX. 


309 


their  friend  and  brother  Sagaoh  (Philip  E.  Thomas),  of  the 
city  of  Baltimore  and  State  of  Maryland,  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  as  representative  of  our  nation  (under 
our  late  Government)  to  the  United  States  Government  at 
Washington,  and  having  undiminislied  confidence  in  his  integ- 
rity and  ability,  we  do  hereby  constitute  and  appoint  him  our 
ambassador,  under  our  new  form  of  Government,  to  represent 
us,  and  to  have  charge  of  all  the  interests  and  affairs  of  the 
Seneca  nation  of  Indians  to  the  United  States  Government  at 
Washington. 

Resolved^ — That  as  it  is  customary  among  our  people,  that 
whenever  any  important  event  occurs  in  the  history  of  our 
nation,  either  by  the  natural  transition  from  childhood  to 
manhood,  from  Warrior  to  Chieftain,  or  from  Chieftain  to 
Sachem ;  therefore  we  declare,  that  in  constquence  of  this 
change  in  our  Government  of  his  re-appointment  under  the 
new,  and  with  the  consent  of  the  relatives  of  our  friend  Sa- 
gaoh, that  the  name  Sagaoh  shall  cease  to  be  his  name,  by 
which  he  was  called  and  known  among  us,  and  that  hereafter 
his  name  shall  be  Hai-wa-noh  (Ambassador,  Representative  or 
Charge  d' Affaires)  because  he  is  to  represent  our  nation  and 
people,  by  which  appellation  he  is  henceforth  to  be  knowa 
among  us,  and  that  the  ceremony  of  christening  him  be  imme- 
diately performed.  Whereupon  the  ceremony  of  changing 
the  former  Indian  name  and  christening  Philip  E.  Thomas  of 
Baltimore,  was  performed  according  to  our  customs  and 
usages,  by  Sa-dye-na-wa  (John  Hudson),  and  declared  that  the 
said  Thomas  may  hereafter  be  known  by  the  name  of  Ilai-wa- 
uoh.    (Great  sensation  and  applause  of  approbation). 

EcsoUed^ — That  the  clerk  and  President  are  hereby  author- 
ized and  empowered  to  prepare  the  credentials  of  Hai-wa-noh 
(Philip  E.  Thomas),  our  Ambassador,  whom  we  have  hereby 
constituted  and  appointed  ;  and  forward  the  same  to  him  as 
soon  as  practicable,  together  with  the  Declaration,  and  Consti- 
tutional Charter,  and  request  him  immediately  to  repair  to  the 
seat  of  the  United  States  Government,  and  present  them  to 
the  proper  authorities,  and  also  to  notify  him  of  the  change 


310 


APPENDIX. 


if. 

1 

":\ 

'■■'.-, 

':        J 

!■, 

1 

:    , 

i 
1 

. 

il 

m 


rf  ;r 

'4 

V 

of  his  name,  and  Lis  appointment  as  an  oflScer  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians. 

Resolved, — That  copies  of  the  Declaration,  Constitutional 
Charter,  and  resolutions  of  this  convention,  he  forwarded  by 
the  clerk  to  the  joint  committee  of  the  Society  of  Friends 
on  Indian  concerns ;  and  to  the  Governors  of  the  States  of 
New  York  and  Massachusetts,  with  the  request  that  the  same 
be  put  on  file  in  the  proper  offices ;  and  that  our  Representa- 
tive be  requested  to  present  copies  of  the  same  to  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  now  covened  at  Washington,  and  to  the 
Secretary  at  War,  with  the  request  that  the  same  be  put  on 
file  in  their  respective  departments. 

Resohed^ — That  we  have  unabated  and  undiminished  con- 
fidence in  the  abilities  and  qualifications  of  the  United  States 
interpreter  (Peter  Wilson)  for  this  agencyj  having  always  dis- 
charged his  duty  faithfuUy,  and  that  inasmuch  as  the  late  chiefs 
under  our  former  Government  have  petitioned  for  his  removal, 
without  just  and  reasonable  cause,  we  hereby  request  our  re- 
presentative to  protest  and  remonstrate  against  his  removal. 

Resolved^ — That  the  clerk  be  hereby  instructed  to  prepare 
and  forward  copies  of  the  doings  and  proceedings  of  this  Con- 
vention, to  the  publishers  of  the  Buffalo  Commercial  Adver- 
tiser, and  the  New  York  Tribune,  with  the  request  that  the 
same  be  printed  in  their  respective  papers. 

I  do  hereby  certify  that  the  above  copy  has  been  examined 
and  compared  with  the  original  now  on  file  in  the  archives  of 
the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians,  by  me,  and  is  a  correct  copy  of 
the  same,  and  of  the  whole  of  said  resolutions  passed  by  the 
General  Convention. 

William  Jemebson, 
Clork  of  the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians. 

Cattaraugus  Reeervp'lon, ) 
Erie  County,  N.  Y.  > 
Pccember    5,  1848.  ) 

Sib  : — You  are  hereby  nominated,  constituted,  and  appointed 
an  Ambassador,  Envoy  Extraordinay,  and  Minister  Plenipoten- 
tiary to  the  seat  of  Government  of  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rioEf  by  the  Oonstitntional  Convention  and  Government  of 


APPENDi:^. 


311 


Df  the  Govern- 

,  Oonstitutionftl 
)  forwarded  by 
iety  of  Friends 
f  the  States  of 
it  that  the  same 
)ur  Representa- 
to  the  Congress 
gton,  and  to  the 
same  he  put  on 

diminished  con- 
a  United  States 
ring  always  dis- 
as  the  late  chiefs 
for  his  removal, 
Y  request  our  re- 
t  his  removal, 
kcted  to  prepare 
ngs  of  this  Con- 
imercial  Adver- 
♦equest  that  the 

i  been  examined 

I  the  archives  of 

correct  copy  of 

as  passed  by  the 

idEBSON, 

ion  of  Indians. 


the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians,  residing  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  to  represent  them  in  their  names  and  behalf,  with  full 
powers  and  privileges  of  said  office  to  take  charge  of  the  in- 
terests and  affairs  of  your  Government  and  nation :  and  what- 
ever you  may  do  in  our  names  and  behalf  will  be  binding  upon 
us,  and  of  the  same  effect  as  if  we  had  been  present  and  con- 
senting thereto ;  and  you  are  hereby  authorized  and  empowered 
to  proceed  with  the  business  of  your  nation  as  they  shall  from 
time  to  time  direct,  and  as  you  may  deem  just  and  proper. 

You  are  also  hereby  authorized  and  requested  to  proceed 
immediately  to  the  seat  of  the  United  States  Government,  and 
present  this,  your  credentials,  to  the  proper  authorities. 

You  are  also  informed  that  your  official  duties  commence 
with  the  date  of  this  commission  and  appointment  as  an  officer 
of  the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians. 

By  order  of  the  Convention  and  Government  of  the  Seneca 
nation  of  Indians. 

S.  W.  McLane,  President. 
William  Jemebson,  Clerk. 
Cattaraugus  Reservation,  Erie  County,  N".  Y., 

December  5th,  1  «'48. 
To  EAI-WA-NOH,  {Philip  E.  Thomas,) 
Ambassador,  &e.,  &c., 
Baltimore,  Maryland. 


NO.  IV. 


The  following  extracts  from  the  proceedings  of  the  yearly 
meetings  of  the  Friends  of  Baltimore,  in  the  year  1850,  will 
give  some  idea  of  the  present  condition  of  the  women,  and  the 
understanding  they  have  of  governmental  ad  weU  as  domestic 
affairs : 


ed,  and  appointed 

lister  Plenipoten- 

d  States  of  Ame- 

Govemment  of 


"  Thus  we  see  the  Seneca  nation  with  a  government  '  cal- 
culated,' to  use  their  own  language,  '  to  answer  the  purpose 
for  which  all  governments  should  be  created.'  We  find  their 
women  mostly  withdrawn  from  the  field,  and  ocoupying  their 


312 


APPENDIX. 


■^^^"1 


r 


im- 


proper station  in  their  families, — their  children  suitally  cared 
for  at  home,  and  at  school,  having  the  henefit  of  literary  and 
scientific  learning.  "We  have,  for  several  years  past,  had  among 
them  an  Institution  for  the  instruction  of  their  daughters  in 
the  duties  of  housewifery,  and  other  appropriate  domestic  em- 
ployments. They  are  provided  with  good  dwelling-houses 
•  and  barns—  are  the  undisputed  owners  of  a  fertile,  productive 
soil,  of  ample  extent  for  all  their  purposes,  yielding  more  than 
the>nation  can  consume ;  and  in  addition  to  these  advantages, 
they  are  in  receipt  of  annuities  more  than  suflScieut  to  defray 
all  the  expenses  of  their  government. 

"  When  the  present  joint  committees  first  visited  the  Kes- 
ervations,  in  the  years  1839  and  1840,  a  very  large  portion  of 
the  Indians  lived  in  wigwams,  or  poor  log  huts — covered  with 
bark,  boards,  or  other  materials,  hardly  sufficient  to  shield 
them  from  the  weather.  Many  v.f  them  had  earth  floors,  on 
which  they  slept  in  buffialo  skins  and  blankets.  They  set  no 
table,  had  no  regular  meals — used  no  plates,  nor  knives  and 
forks.  An  iron  pot  was  generally  found  placed  over  the  fire, 
into  which  they  put  beans  and  hominy,  and  a  piece  of  some 
sort  of  meat — either  pork  or  venison.  "When  any  one  of  the 
family  was  hungry,  he  helped  himself  to  what  he  wanted,  put- 
ting 't  in  a  small  wooden  vessel,  and  feeding  himself  with  a 
wooden  or  iron  spoon.  The  interior  of  the  dwellings  gener- 
ally presented  to  the  eye  a  spectacle  by  no  means  calculated  to 
warm  the  imagination  in  favor  of  Indian  life.  The  truth  is, 
that  woman  had  been  driven  from  her  proper  sphere,  and  no 
domestic  happiness  could  enter  the  dwelling  in  her  absence. 

"  The  Manual-labor  School  was  established  as  one  of  the 
means  of  restoring  woman  to  the  station  evidently  designed 
for  her,  in  the  benevolent  order  of  her  Creator,  an  order 
which  cannot  be  broken  with  impunity.  This  school  was  held 
in  the  dwelling  erected  for  the  use  of  Friends  at  Cattaraugus. 
The  average  number  of  pupils  -vas  about  twenty-eight,  gener- 
erally  under  twenty  years  ^/age.  They  were  boarded  in  the 
family,  at  the  expense  of  the  committee,  and  were  taught  to 
card  and  spin  wool,  knit  stockings,  out  out  and  make  gar- 
ments, &o.    A  part  of  their  number  was  daily  admitted  into 


It.' 


APPENDIX. 


313 


Buitaily  cared 
of  literary  and 
last,  had  among 
ir  daughters  in 
be  domestic  em- 
dwelling-houses 
:tile,  productive 
Iding  more  than 
lese  advantages, 
ficieut  to  defray 

visited  the  Res- 
large  portion  of 
g — covered  with 
Rcient  to  shield 
earth  floors,  on 
;s.    They  set  no 
nor  knives  and 
id  over  the  fire, 
a  piece  of  some 
1  any  one  of  the 
he  wanted,  put- 
_  himself  with  a 
dwellings  gener- 
sans  calculated  to 
3.    The  truth  is, 
•  sphere,  and  no 
in  her  absence. 
3d  as  one  of  the 
adently  designed 
Creator,  an  order 
is  school  was  held 
a  at  Cattaraugus, 
jnty-eight,  gener- 
e  boarded  in  the 
1  were  taught  to 
t  and  make  gar- 
ily  admitted  into 


the  family  of  rhe  Superintendent,  where  they  were  taught  to 
wash  and  iron  clothes,  &c.,  make  bread,  do  plain  cooking,  and 
every  other  branch  of  good  housewifery,  pertaining  to  a  coun- 
try life.  In  this  department  all  were  admitted  by  turns,  gen- 
erally four  at  a  time,  and  continued  until  the  necessary  profi- 
ciency was  attained.  As  such  left  the  schoc '  others  took  their 
l)lnces,  by  which  arrangement,  a  large  number  of  young  women 
became  qualified  to  take  charge  of  families,  and  extend  to  suc- 
ceeding generations  the  comforts  and  blessings  of  domestic  life. 

Memorial  of  thk  Seneca  "Women  to  P.  E.  Thomas. 

[^Original  sent  to  the  Indian  BureauJ^ 

Cattakaugus  Eeseevation,  Oct.  13,  1848. 
To  our  Respected  Friend,  Philip  E.  Thomas : 

The  women  of  Cattaraugus  Reservation  wish  to  address  to 
you  a  few  ■  ords,  in  this  time  of  our  trouble,  and  we  do  so  tho 
more  cheerfully,  because  the  Friends  are  always  laboring  to 
promote  the  welfare  of  the  females  among  the  Indians,  and  to 
improve  their  condition.  We  would  also  request  you  to  se- 
cure the  influence  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  so  that  our  words 
may  be  strengthened,  and  become  sufiiciently  powerful  to  he 
heard  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  we  women  have  an  equal 
right  to  our  annuities,  with  the  men,  and  with  the  chiefs. 
We  are  all  on  the  same  footing  as  to  the  amount  we  are  en- 
titled to  receive — chiefs  and  warriors,  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren. Wo  were  glad  Avhen  wo  heard  that  the  Secretary  had 
instructed  our  new  Agent,  to  pay  the  annuities  for  this  year 
to  the  heads  of  families.  We  see  no  other  way  by  which  our 
rights  can  be  secured  to  us,  and  justice  done  alike  to  all.  We 
hope  you  will  urge  the  Secretary  to  confirm  his  former  instruc- 
tions, for  we  were  greatly  perplexed  and  troubled,  when  the 
Ageit  was  induced  to  delay  the  payment,  on  the  ground  that 
the  chiefs  insisted  on  the  observance  of  the  old  custom  in  re-? 
gard  to  it.  We  ash  for  our  just  rights  and  nothing  more  ^ 
but  we  repeat  it,  that  we  do  not  feel  that  our  rights  will  be 
safe,  if  these  instructions  to  the  Agent  shall  be  reversed.  We 
regret  tbftt  the  Agent  should  haye  t-hought  it  necessary  to  de- 

H 


A 


p 


'ft 


W' 


ft   ■ 


I  f 

M  i- 


314 


APPENDIX. 


lay  a  strict  compliance  with  his  instructions,  but  we  do  not 
yet  feel  disheartened,  for  we  have  confidence  that  the  Secre- 
tary will  manifest  a  due  regard  to  our  rights.  Only  we  beg 
leave  to  repeat  our  request,  that  you  will  bring  all  the  weight 
of  your  influence,  and  that  of  your  Society,  to  bear  upon  this 
question,  that  he  may  be  wilhng  to  confirm  his  former  deci- 
sion, and  give  every  Indian  woman,  and  child,  no  less  than  oth- 
ers, the  apportionment  which  of  right  belongs  to  each. 

And  we  would  desire  to  add,  that  we  have  already  suf- 
fered greatly  from  the  proceedings  of  the  chiefs,  through 
whose  instrumentality  our  poverty  has  been  increasing  upon 
us,  and  we  wish  to  entreat  that  we  may  never  again,  hereafter, 
be  exposed  to  be  deprived  by  them  of  our  rights,  but  that  we 
and  our  children,  from  time  to  time,  may  be  permitted  to  re- 
ceive the  full  and  proper  share  which  rightfully  belongs  to  us. 
We  are  fully  sensible  that  it  is  a  hard  case  to  have  a  difficulty 
with  the  chiefs,  but  we  feel  that  we  have  been  wronged  by 
them,  and  our  children  have  sufiered  already,  and  for  a  long 
time  past,  through  their  avarice  and  pride,  and  we  believe  the 
things  they  have  said  in  justification  of  themselves  are  not 
true.  It  is  by  our  pain  and  sorrow  that  children  are  brought 
into  the  world,  and  we  are,  therefore,  interested  in  whatever 
concerns  the  welfare  of  our  children.  We  have  examined  this 
subject,  and  we  are  satisfied  that  the  party  who  are  laboring 
to  bring  about  an  er^ual  division  of  the  whole  of  our  annuities, 
are  the  party  really  striving  for  the  best  interests  of  our  chil- 
dren. 

We  have  taken  the  same  view  of  the  matter  which  was 
taken  by  the  old  men  long  since  dead,  who  first  entered  into 
these  arrangements.  They  decided  that  every  individual  man, 
woman,  and  child,  had  an  equal  right  to  our  moneys,  and  to 
our  lands — in  bl.ur^,  to  all  our  national  property;  that  it  was 
so  from  the  beginning,  and  that  it  always  should  be  so.  We 
have  taken  the  liberty  to  express  our  views,  because  we  believe 
this  to  be  the  real  truth,  and  wo  would  earnestly  desire  the 
President  and  Secretary  of  War  to  secure  to  us  now,  and  to 
our  posterity  in  all  time  to  come,  the  fulfilment  of  the  original 
Btipulations,  that  as  long  as  wood  should  yrow,  or  water  rui^ 


'..■1 


IS,  but  we  do  not 
nee  that  the  Secre- 
bts.  Only  we  beg 
iring  all  the  weight 

to  bear  upon  this 
a  his  former  dccl- 
Id,  no  less  than  oth- 
(igs  to  each. 

have  already  suf- 
he  chiefs,  through 
Bn  increasing  upon 
rer  again,  hereafter, 
rights,  but  that  wo 
e  permitted  to  re- 
fuUy  belongs  to  us. 
to  have  a  difficulty 
e  been  wronged  by 
dy,  and  for  a  long 
and  we  believe  tlie 
themselves  are  not 
ildren  are  brought 
rested  in  whatever 
have  examined  this 
^  who  are  laboring 
le  of  our  annuities, 
;erests  of  our  chil- 

matter  which  was 

>  first  entered  into 

jry  individual  man, 

ur  moneys,  and  to 

lerty;  that  it  was 

should  be  so.    We 

because  wo  believe 

arnestly  desire  the 

0  us  now,  and  to 

ent  of  the  original 

roii)^  or  water  rnv^ 


APPENDIX. 


315 


On  behalf 
of  tlio  Sen- 
eca womon. 


or  a  Seneca  live  to  leJioM  the  light  of  the  sun^  these  annuities 
should  le  faithfully  paid  and  righteously  distributed. 
With  great  respect,  your  friends. 

Their 

Betsey  +  Sxow. 
Julia  +  Ann  Snow. 
Jane  +  Scott. 
Ganna  +  Hon. 
Polly  +  Johnson. 
Maetha  +  Phillips. 
marks. 

Done  in  the  presence  of 
Joseph  S.  Walton, 
Abrkr  Wright. 

Memorial  of  the  Seneca  Women  to  the  President. 

To  his  Excellency  General  Zachary  Taylor,  President  of  the 
United  States  of  America : 

The  undersigned,  mothers,  heads  of  families,  wives,  and 
grown  up  dau;»hters  of  the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians,  residing 
in  Western  ]Si  ow  York,  respectfully  represent  to  our  Father 
the  President,  that  "ve  have  heard  with  extreme  regret  that 
an  educated  young  man  from  among  our  sons  and  brothers  is 
at  Washington,  importuning  the  President  to  undo  the  good 
which  has  been  done  for  our  people  by  his  predecessors,  and  to 
destroy  the  effect,  as  far  as  the  Senecas  are  concerned,  of  the 
wise  regulation,  that  a  portion  of  all  the  Indian  annuities 
should  be  distributed  just  at  seedtime,  every  spring,  in  order 
to  facilitate  and  encourage  agriculture.  We  wish  our  sons  to 
be  industrious — to  be  in  the  field,  stirring  the  soil  betimes,  pro- 
curing a  bountiful  harvest  as  the  fruits  of  God's  blessing  upon 
their  own  honest  exertions :  not  leaving  it  for  the  women  to 
raise  corn,  as  did  their  hunting,  fishing,  and  fighting  fore- 
fathers. The  days  of  hunting  and  fishing,  and  we  trust,  also, 
of  Indian  fighting,  are  gone  by  for  ever,  and  it  pains  us  exceed- 
ingly that  an  educated  son  of  ours,  and  one,  too,  who,  if  he 
wouM  consult  the  well-being  of  his  people,  might  be  so  smart 
lind  useful,  should  now  be  trying,  either  of  his  own  will,  or 
under  the  direction  of  those  whom,  if  they  had  sought  the 


316 


APPENDIX. 


g%t      ' 


•il- 


1 


t      t- 


public  good,  we  should  have  rejoiced  to  call  our  chiefs,  to 
thwart  the  wishes  of  this  people,  check  the  pursuits  of  agricul- 
ture, and  bring  embarrassing  and  perplexing  want  upon  the 
destitute,  who  have  been  relying  upon  the  stability  of  the  coun- 
sels of  the  United  States  Government  for  the  relief  of  their 
necessities.  We  have  many  and  to  us  weighty  reasons  why 
our  Father,  the  President,  should  not  heed  the  petition  of  our 
son,  whom  we  did  not  send  to  speak  for  us  to  the  President ; 
but  lest  it  should  be  thought  that  Indian  women  have  tongues 
that  never  tire,  we  only  add  that  it  is  the  earnest  prayer  of 
the  undersigned,  in  their  own  behalf,  and  in  behalf  of  a  large 
majority  of  the  mothers,  wives,  and  daughters  of  the  Seneca 
nation,  that  the  recognition  of  the  new  Government  may  be 
permitted  to  stand ;  and  that  we  may  be  paid  our  annuities 
according  to  the  rule  adopted  in  1847,  for  the  payment  of  all 
the  tribes  receiving  annuities  from  the  government,  i.  e.,  during 
the  current  month ;  and  your  memorialists,  as  in  duty  bound, 
will  ever  pray. 

Signed,  Gua-na-ea,  and 

Nineteen  other  females. 

Apra  4, 1849. 

Keply  of  Philip  E.  Thojias  to  these  Women. 

Baltiuobe,  4  mo.y  8th,  1849. 

Ml  Eespkoted  Sistees: — Your  address  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States  has  reached  me,  and  has  received  my 
careful  attention.  I  am  glad  to  inform  you  that  all  you  ask  in 
regard  to  the  manner  of  paying  your  annuities,  and  the  ac- 
knowledgment of  your  new  Government,  has  been  decided  as 
you  wish.  The  annuities  hereafter  will  be  paid  by  the  United 
States  Agent  to  the  heads  of  families — to  the  women  as  to 
the  men,  and  none  will  again  be  paid  to  the  chiefs  except  their 
own  respective  portions. 

By  the  acknowledgment  of  your  new  Constitution,  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  recognizes  that  excellent 
article  in  it,  which  provides  that  no  sale  of  Land  can  hereafter 
be  made  without  the  consent  of  three  fourths  of  all  the 


sail  our  chiefs,  to 
)ursuits  of  agricul- 
ig  want  upon  the 
ibility  of  the  coun- 
the  relief  of  their 
ghty  reasons  why 
ho  petition  of  our 
to  the  President; 
»raen  have  tongues 
earnest  prayer  of 
behalf  of  a  large 
era  of  the  Seneca 
>vernment  may  be 
)aid  our  annuities 
16  payment  of  all 
nment,  i.  e.,  during 
as  in  duty  bound, 

^-EA,  and 
other  females. 


IE  Women. 

IE,  4  mo.,  8th,  1849. 

to  the  President 
has  received  my 
hat  all  you  ask  in 
ities,  and  the  ac- 
is  been  decided  as 
►aid  by  the  United 
the  women  as  to 
shiefs  except  their 

Constitution,  the 
ea  that  excellent 
and  can  hereafter 
lurths  of  all  the 


APPENDIX. 


317 


mothers  in  tho  nation.  This  wise  provision  assures  to  you 
the  security  of  your  homes ;  for  I  have  too  much  confidence 
in  my  Indian  Sisters  to  believe  they  will  ever  be  prevailed  on 
to  take  tho  land  from  their  children,  and  send  them  away  to 
perish  in  the  wilderness. 

It  gave  me  pleasure  to  read  your  address  to  the  President. 
It  proved  to  me  that  you  were  beginning  to  understand  your 
rights,  and  were  disposed  to  exercise  them.  I  hope  you  will 
remember  the  good  advice  the  committee  gave  you  in  the  year 
1845,  and  as  some  of  you  may  not  have  heard  it  then,  I  now 
send  you  a  copy  of  it  under  care  of  my  brother  Joseph  S. 
Walton. 

Bear  this  advice  in  your  minds ;  it  is  good  counsel,  and 
endeavor  to  practise  it. 

Whenever  you  may  desire  to  make  any  communication  to 
me,  you  are  at  liberty  to  do  it. — You  will  find  me  your  faithful 
friend  and  brother, 

P.  E.  Thomas. 


"  1 


I 

k 

in 
IS; 


M't- 


A   LIST 

OF 

IN     O  E  N  E  R  A  li     li  I  T  E  R  A  T  U  A  E, 

PUBLIBBED  BY 

D.  APPLETOWr   &   OOMPANT, 
846  &  848  Broadway. 

*^^  Complete  Catalogues,  containing  full  descriptions,  to  be  had  on  application  to 

the  Publishers. 


urt, 


I  25 

5  on 

15 


Agriculture  and  Rural  Affairs. 

Boiiesiiigiinlt's  Rural  Economy, 
'I'lio  rmillrv  liook,  illiiBtrateif, 
\V£kriiig'B  l^lumeiits  of  Agriciilti 

Arts,  Manufactures,  and  Architec- 
ture. 

Apiiluton'i  Diotinnnry  of  Meclmnies.  2  vols, 

"  Mei'lmiiii's'  Magiizine.  3  ^•ol(>.  cncli, 

Allen's  Philoanjiliy  of  Meclinnics,     . 
Arnot's  Gothic  Architecture,     . 
BiiBsnett'i  Tlieory  of  Storms,    . 
Kouriie  on  tliu  Steam  Engine,  . 
Byrne  on  Loirnrithnis,       .... 
Cnapman  on  the  American  Rille, 
Coming's  rreservatiori  of  Health,    . 
Cullum  on  Military  Bridffi'S,      . 
Downinpr's  Coontry  Houses,      . 
Field's  C'itv  Arcliilecture, 
Griffith's  Marine  Arcliitei-luro, 
(Ulli'Spio's  Treatise  on  Surveyinff,   . 
Maupt's  'I'heory  of  Uridjfe  Construction,  , 
Henck's  Field-Book  fur  U.  Koad  Entriueeri, 
Iloblyn's  Dictionary  of  Scieutitic  Terms, 
Huff's  Manual  of  Kleclro-rhysioloKy, 
JeHers'  Practice  of  Naval  Gunnery,  , 

Knapen's  Mechanics'  Assistant,        . 
I.afever's  Modern  Architecture, 
Lyell's  Manual  of  Geidopy,       ,        , 

"       Vrincipli  «  of  (ieoloj;y,  . 
Reynold's  Treatise  on  HHndrailinjr, 
Teniplplon's  Mechanic's  Coin(iaiiion, 
Ore's  Dict'ry  ot  Ar's,  Mauiiraclures, ic.  2  vol 
Youinai.s' Class- I'll!      of  Cliemistrv. 
"         Athis  ..f  Cheniistrv.  cloth, 
"         Alcohol,     .        .    "    . 

Biography. 

Arnold's  Life  and  rorrisii.iuilence,   .        . 
('apt.  Caned,  or  Twenty  Years  of  a  Slaver, 
Cousin's  Hi'  l.ougneville,  .... 

Croswell's  Menmirs, 

Kvelyn'sl.il'eot  (iodiilphin, 

(iarland's  Lite  (d'  Randolph, 

(Jillillan's  tJall.ry  (d  I'lrtraiU.  SU  Series, 

Hernan  Coiter/s  Lite,  ,         ,  , 

Hull's  ('ivil  and  Miliiiiry  Life.  . 

Life  and  Ailveutuns  of  l)anlel  Btfunc^ 

Lite  of  Henry  Hnilson,     .... 

Life  of  ("apt.  .lidm  Snulh, 

Moore's  Lite  iif  (ieor((e  ( 'list ri' it, 

Niipolei.u's  Memoirs.  By  I  >iichess  D'Abrantes, 

Napoleon.   By  Laurent  I.  Aidi'clie,   . 

riiikoi  y  (W.)  Lite.  By  his  Nephew, 

I'aiiv  Leaders;   Livi's  of  .leffer^on,  Ac.  . 

S..iilliey's  Life  of  (Diver  Cromwell, 

Wynne's  Lives  of  Emuwiit  >len, 

Webster's  Life  an<l  Meuiorials.  2  vols.     . 

Books  of  General  Utility. 

Ar|detons'  Southern  mill  Western  (Juide, 
"  Norlhern  anil  F.nitern  Uuide, 


.  ii'  no 

,  a  5ij 

.  3  CO 

.  4  00 

.  1  00 

15 

.  1  00 

.  1  '^5 

15 

.  2  00 

.  4  00 

.  2  110 

.  10  00 

.  3  no 

.  1  75 

.  1  60 

.  1  2i 

.  2  50 

.  1  no 

.  4  0 

.  1  75 

.  2  25 

.  2  (10 

.  :  no 

s.  5  00 

75 

.  2  no 

so 

.  2  Oft 

.  I  25 

.  1  no 

.  2  no 

60 

.  I  Ml 

.   1  (M) 

;w 

.  2  00 

ii-* 

.    38 

;iM 

.  1  00 

1,  4  00 

.  3  00 

.  ••'  00 

.  1  no 

3S 

.   1  tN) 

.  I  00 

.  1  00 

.  1  25 

Appletons'  Complete  U.  S.  Guide,   . 

"         Map  of  N.  Y.  City, 
American  Fracticnl  Cook  Book,        .        . 
A  Treiitiae  on  Artificial  Fish-Breeding,    . 
Chemi8tr%'  of  Common  Life.  2  vols.  12mo. 
Cooley's  book  of  Useful  Knowledge, 
Cost's  Invalui's  Own  Book,       .         . 
Delisser's  Interest  Tables,  .        . 

The  English  Cyclopaedia,  per  vol.    . 
Miles  on  the  Horse's  Foot, 
The  Nursery  Basket.  A  Book  for  Y'oung  Mothers, 
Pell's  Guide  for  the  Young,      . 
Reid's  New  English  Dictionary, 
Stewart's  Stalile  Economy, 
Spal(lin:;'8  Hist,  of  En;;lihU  Literature,    . 
Soyer's  Modern  Cookery, 
Tliu  Successful  Meiclmnt,         .        .         . 
Thomson  on  Food  of  Animals, . 

Conunerce  and  Mercantile  Affairs. 

Anderson's  Mercantile  Correspondence,  . 

DelisKcr's  Inti'rcBt  Tables,        .        .         . 

Merchants'  Rrfriiico  Book,     . 

Gates'  (i;c.i.)  Iiilerest  'lablcs  at  6  Per  Cent 

per  Aiiii.'.m.  Svo 

"  "        Do.    do.     Abridged  edition, 

"  "        7  Per  Cent.  Inteiist  I  nbles, 

"  "        Abridged, 

Smith's  Mercantile  Law, .... 


*  M 

2& 

16 

1  25 

50 

4  on 

2  50 
"25 
38 
3S 

1  00 
1  00 
1  00 
1  00 
1  00 
50 


3  (H) 


2  60 

4  i'll 

1  5ii 

4  no 

•A  6ii 

'  no 

•;» 

9  Ml 

1  25 

1  50 

2  6(1 


2  (HI  I 


History. 

Arnold's  History  of  Rome, 

'■      Ijitir  {' oniiii'iiwialth,        . 

"      Ih'i  lures  on  Mideni  History, 
Dew's  Ancient  and  Modiin  History, 
Koeppeii's  History  ol  llie  Middle  Ages.  2  Nols. 

*'         The  same,  tolio,  with  .Maps,     . 
Kohlransch's  History  of  (Jermany,  ■ 
Mahon's  (Lord)  History  of  Enghiiiil,  2  vo's. 
Michelet's  History  of  France,  2  \i>\». 

"  Histoij  of  till'  Iti'inan  Ri  pnldi<'. 

Rowan's  History  of  thi'  French  Kcvolulion, 
Spragui''s  History  of  the  Florida  War,    . 
Taylor's  Manual  of  Ancient  History, 
"        Manual  of  Modern  History, 
"         Manual  of  History.    I   vid.  eiiiiplite,     <  uv 
Thiers'  French  Itevoliilion.  4  vids.  Illustrated,     6  UD 

Illustrated  Works  for  Presents. 

Bryant's  I'oems,    16  'U-.-.siraliom.  Svo.  dotl ,  .     3  50 
"  "  cloth.  Kilt,  .    4  50 

"  "  "  nior.  nnliiiHB,  6  00 


'::f 


I),  ippleton  &  Company's  List  of  Nor  Works. 


t  , 


Gcmg  <if  Bii!ioli  Alt.  30  Kngrnviiigs.  Ivol.Jto. 

mi>r..ci-.., 18  no 

Gray's  Kli-i.'y.  IlliiBtrntiMi.  8vo.        .        .        .     1  60 
riiililKiiiltlrs  Dfifrtuil  Villiii;e,  .         .         .     1  50 

I  The  I  [■inif«  .>f  American  Authiirg.  Willi  Illii»- 

trntiuua,  cluth, 4  DC 

I  »  "  "         cliilli,  Kilt,      5  00 

"  '•  "         mnr.  sntije,    7  00 

The  H'ly  G..aiiel8.  With  4C  Desisni  by  Over- 

lii'ck.  1  viil.  folin.  Antique  innr.        ,        .  SO  00 
1  lie  I.iuul  "('  Bnnila^e.  By  J.  M.  Wninwright, 

I>.  I).    Moriioco, 6  00 

T!io  ({iiri'118  of  England.  Bj;  Agnes  Strickland. 

With  -29  I'nrtraits.  Antique  nior.      .        .  10  00 
'  Tludniamcnts  (if  Memory.  With  18  Illintra- 

f^  Horn.   4to.  cloth,  ifilt,         .        .        .        .     6  00 

^'  "  "  Morocco,     .        .  10  00 

I  Kiiynl  Gnma  from   the   Galleries  of  Europe. 

I         4(1  Kni;ravinga, 25  GO 

I  the  Ki'|jul>iicaii  Court;   or,  American  Society 
1,1  the  Daya  of  Waahiiigton,  '21  Portraits. 

I  Ailique  mor 1'2  00 

I  The  VVrnon  Galh^rv.  BT  Kngrav'ga.  4to.  Ant.  25  00 
I  Tho  Women  of  the"  Bible.     With  18  Engrav- 

!         ings.  Mor.  antique, 10  00 

Wilkie  Gallery.   Conlaiuing  6')  Splendid  Eu- 

graviiigB.  4to.  Antique  iiior.     .        .        ,  S5  10 
A  Winter  Wnalh  of  Suinnier  Flowers.     By 

S.  G.  Goodrich.  Illuatnitud.   Cloth,  gilt,  .    3  00 


Juvenile  Books. 

A  Poetry  Book  for  Children,    .... 

Aunt  Kniiiiv's  Chrislinaa  Storirs, 

American  (liatoricnl  I'ales,       .... 

UXCLK  AMEUEl's  STORY  BOOKS. 

The  Little  Gift  Book.    ISnio.  cloth. 
The  Child'a  Story  Boi>k.    lllnat.    l.sino.  cloth, 
Suininer  Hi  liiluya.     I.'^nio.  cloth,      .        ,        , 
Winter  H"liili(v'i.     Illuitraled,    \Smn.  clitli,  . 
George's  Ailventurea  in  the  Country,   llluatra- 

U-d.    ISllIn,  cloth, 

Chriatniiia  Storiea.   Illustrated.   I8ino.  cloth,  . 

Book  of  Tnulea, 

Boy»Ht  Iloiiie  Hy  the  Author  of  Edgar  Clifton, 
Chdil'e  cheerful  Coniiiiiiiion,  .... 
Child's  Picture  and  \  eise  Book.  100  Engs. 

COUSIN    ALICES    WORKS. 

All's  Not  Gold  that  Glitters,     .... 
('oiitentnieiit  Belter  than  U  eiillh,    . 
Nothing  Viiilure,  Nothing  Have,     . 

No  such  Wird  as  Kail, 

Patieul  Wailing  No  l^oss,  .... 

Pashwood  Pr'oiy.      By  the  Author  of  IMj^ar 

Clifton,        .'       .  * 

Edgar  Clifton;  or  Hicht  and  Wioiig, 
Kireaide  Kairiea     By  .Soaaii  I'indur, 
(i<H>d  in  Kviry  Tiling,   By  Mia,  llarwill,        , 
Leiaiire  MoMiiiila  liiiproved,      ,         ,         ,         , 
Lite  of  I'uiichillello, 


75 
80 
75 


'2.1 
'25 
'25 
'25 

5.1 
'25 

60 
76 
50 
60 


75 
fi;i 

«;i 

till 


75 

75 

ti:i 

611 
75 
75 


LI'tTURV  KOIl  MY  YOL'NG  COII.VTUYMK.N. 

Adveiitiiira  of  t'lipl.  .tolin  Siiiilli,    By  llie  Au- 
thor ..f  lii.l.-  I'liili|.,          .         ,■       .        .  3S 

Adveiitiina  "t  I'aniel   {("oii.-,      Bv  d Il" 

DHwiiinuB  "f  tii'iiiiis.     Bv  Anne  f'ralt,     .         .  ilH 
Lile  and  Ailventiii' •    if  lliiirv  iliidsoii.       Hv 

the  Author  of  I'li'').-  .'I.ihii,       .         ,       ".  S'* 

Life  anil  Ailventurea  of  lleinaM  •'•■riei.    By  do.  UK 
Philiji    Kandolph.     A    Tale  of   VirniniH.     By 

Mary  Gertrudr ',  ,SH 

Rowan's  Hislou- of  (lie  Krrnch   Kvv,>liitioii,  t 

vols. 71 

Boulksy't  Lir«  of  Oliver  Cromwell,         .        .  iM 


Louis'  SchoolDuvB.  By  E.  J.  May, ...  75 

Louise  ;  or,  The  licaiity  of  Integrity,        .         .  25 

Muivatl'a  Settlers  in  ("unnda,  ....  62 

''  Masterinan  Ready,    ....  63 

"         Scenes  ill  Al'rioii,        ....  68 

Midauiiimer  Kaya    By  Siisim  Pindar,       .        ,  63 

MISS    M'TNTOSll's   WORKS. 

Aunt  Kitty's  TnliB,  1 -.'mo.  ....  75 

BWiid  Alice  ;  A  Tale  tor  Good  Children,  .        .  38 

Ellen  Lealie  ;  or,  'I'lie  Reward  of  Self-Control,  38 

Florence  Amott;   oi,  la  She  Generous!  .  31 

Grace  and  Clara  ;  or.  Be  Just  as  well  as  Qen- 

eroua, 38 

Jesaie  tiiaham  ;  or.  Friends  Dear,  hut  Truth 

Hearer 38 

Emily  llerbi^rl ;  or.  The  Happy  Home,   .         .  31 

Rose  and  Lillie  Stanlnqie 37 

Maninia'e  Story  B.H.k, 75 

Pel.blea  III. in  liie  S.-ii-Sliore,  ....  31 
Puss  in  Boots,  llluatrated.  By  Otto  Specter,  .        '25 

PETER  parley's  WORKS. 

Fageots  fur  till!  Fireside, 1  13 

Parley'a  rrisiiit  for  all  Seasons,  .  .  .1  Oil 
WHiideii  rs  liy  Sea  nml  Land,  ,  .  .  .113 
Winter  Wnalh  of  Siiiiimer  Flowers,       .        .3  00 

talb;s  for  THE  people  and  their 

CHILDREN. 

Alice  FrnnUlio.    Ily  Mary  Howill,  .        . 
(  roll, 111  Hi  y»  (  rill),    l)y  Harilet  .Mnrtineau, 
niiiiirira  III' liming  (Int.'    By  Mrs.  Kllia,  . 
Diiiiiestii'  Tiihs,     liy  lliinniih  .More.  2  vols. 
Early  Frieiulsliiii,     Ily  .Mrs.  Copley,        . 
Faiiiier'a  Haiit'liiir  (  i  lie),    liy  iira,  Ciiiiieron, 
First  liii|irfBsiiiiis.    Bv  .Mrs,  Kllia,    .        . 
HiipeOii,   II.  le   ICv.r!    By  Mary  Howilt, 
Littli' Ciiiii,  .\liii|i  Cure.    By  do. 
Lookiiig-<ihi«K  l.r  the  .Mind.     Many  plates, 
l.ove  and  .Mmiiy.    Ily  Mury  Howifl,      . 
Miiiister'a  Fatoiiv,    liy  .Mia,  Kills,  .        . 
.MvOwii  Sl.iiv.    "liv  Afury  HowitI,  , 
My  riiele.  Ihi-  Clirkiiiak'er.    By  do. 
No  Sfiiae   Like  Ci.iiiiiiiiii  Sense,    By  do. 
reHsiinl  ami  the  rriine.    By  H.  ^iartineall, 
Poplar  Glove.    Bv  .\lis.  Copley,      ,        , 
Soiiiorville  llnll.  "ily  Mra,  Ellis,       . 
Sowing  mid  l!iii|.iiig.    By  Maiy  Howilt, 

Story  of  a  tiiiiiiia 

Strive  and    Thiive.    By  do.       .        .        , 
The  Two  A|i|iii  ntii'i  a.    By  do.         .        . 
'I'ired  if  lliiiiHiki.>-|iiiig,    "ily  T.  S.  Arthur, 
Twin  .Siati.ra  I  I'lie).    Bv  Mra.  Sandlmni, 
Wliuh  is  the  Wiwrf    liv  .Mary  Hewitt, 
Who  Shall  lie  (ooiiti  all    By  Jo.      , 
Wiik  and  Waives,    By  do.       ... 

BKOONU  SKRIES. 

Chnih'i  a  aiiilChiini,'!  s.    By  Clmrlea  Burdelt, 
(ioldmakoi'a  Vilhr.',.    Bv'll,  /.a.hokke, 
NeMr    r.o  l.iit,.,     BT  (halloa  Biirdett,  . 
OiTiiii  Wiik,  \, 111.  lit    Old  ,\l,.di'rii.  By  ,1,  H 
Wright, 


Pii'tnre  I'laiisuie  il.ink,  l»t  Series,    ,        . 

"  "  "         Vd  Series,   . 

I'.  Iiiiia  III  Croa  e.  .'.Ilii  Plates,  ,  .  . 
Susiiii  I'liiilHr'a  Sti.ry  B.i.k,  .  .  . 
Siiiiahinii  111  Gil  \ati  lie,  ,  .  ,  . 
I'liive's  of  B  b  tlie  .'Squirrel,  .  .  . 
Wi.iiderful  Sti.rv  11."  It,     .... 

Willv'a  Fust  I'r.'SHiit 

Weeti's  '>eliglit  ;  or,  Giinios  and  Stories  fuf  lb* 

I'Hrli.r, 

WilliHiii  Tell,  the  Hero  of  Switaerlaiid, . 
Young  Student.    By  .Mailanie  Uuisu),      . 


38 

3l5 

MS 

VI 

M  ' 

38  I 

38  I 

38  ] 

38 

38 

38 

38 

SX 

H"* 

38 

2S 

38 

38 

38 

3k 

38 

31 

38 

38 

38 

38 

88 


38 
3H 
38 

',« 


I  «5, 
1  25  ' 
I  5(1 
75 
76 
81 
5U 
7t 

^^ 

M 


Forks. 

:.  J.  Mav, . 

16 

if  Iiitcgrily, 

25 

mlH,  . 

62 

wly,  . 

63 

a,        .        .        . 

63 

sun  Pindnr, 

63 

OSll's   WORKS. 

15 

jood  Childri'n,  . 

38 

wHril  of  Sell'-Control 

38 

She  GeneroiiB? 

38 

Juat  H8  well  01  Qen 

•        •        •        > 

38 

nJa  Dear,  but  Truth 

38 

Happy  Home,   . 

31 

1         •        •        • 

31 

15 

're,     . 

31 

I.  IJy  Otto  Specter, 

•iS 

ley's  works. 

•        •        •       . 

1   13 

eninns. 

1  0(1 

811(1,    . 

ler  Flowers, 

1   13 

.    3  00 

PKOPLE   AND   TIlEHl 
.DRE>f. 


V  Howilt,  . 

3S 

Han  let  AInrtineau, 

.<!> 

Hy  Mrs.  Kills,  . 

;w 

inidi  Mure,  i  vols. 

IS 

rs.  Ccpley, 

).    By  Airs.  Cameron 

,        38 

rs.  Kills,    .         . 

38 

ly  Miuy  IIiiwIU, 

38 

llv  .1...       . 

38 

hid.     AInnv  plates, 

3H 

arv  Hiiwli'l,      . 

38 

h«.  Kills,  . 

3S 

•  Hewitt,  . 

SS 

cr.    Hy  (1(1.        . 

»■* 

.■"cnsc.    Hv  d". 

3H 

Hy  H.  Aiurtini'HU, 

IS 

.'"pley,     . 

3S 

.  l-!llis,      .        . 

38 

Alniy  Hdwilt, 

m 

38 

>.      •        •        . 

38 

V  d 

S8 

Hv  '1'.  S.  Arthur, 

38 

Urs.  Sniidlmiii,        . 

38 

Marv  Hewitt, 

38 

Hyjo.      . 

38 

88 

8KRtK8. 

'  Clinrlcs  Hiirdsit, 

38 

II.  Zsih.ihkc, 

38 

lies  Htirdcll,  . 

38 

Modern.  Hy  .1.  H 

.        •        . 

38 

.. 

Scriii,    ,         , 

1   «'. 

Series,    . 

1  55 

(S,    , 

1  Ml 

15 

•         •         . 

It 

1,     .         .         . 

81 

tu 

.         . 

1» 

niid  Stories  for  th« 

• 

It 

Swilserlnml, . 

M 

lie  Uuisot,      . 

fi 

D.  Appleton  k  Company's  List  of  New  Work^. 


Miscellaneous  and  General  Litera- 
ture. 

An  Attic  Philosopher  in  Paris,         ...        55 

Appletons'  Library  Manual,      .        .        .        .     1  25 

Axnell's  Book  of  Chess,    .... 

Arnold's  Miscellaneous  Works,        . 

Arthur.    The  Successful  Merchant, 

A  Hook  for  Summer  Time  in  the  Country, 

Italilwln's  Flush  Times  in  Alabama, 

'  alhoim  (.1.  C),  Works  of,  4  vols.  pubL,  each 

flnrk's  (W.  G.)  K-!^kKnnckfl, 

'Ornwall's  Mutic  us  i*.  Was,  and  as  it  Ts, 
I  r^says  tVom  the  Lom^un  Times,  Ist&jd  Series, 
'  each.  

Kwlianko'  IV'orld  in  a  Workshop,    . 

Kills' Worn 'n  of  Enftland, 
"     Hearts  TOd  Flumes, .... 
"     I'revention  Belter  than  Cure, 

Trstor's  Essays  on  Christian  Morals,        , 

(Joldsniith's  Vioar  of  Wakefield,      . 

Orniit's  Metnoirs  of  an  American  Lady,   , 

(Jaictics  and  Gravities,    By  Horace  Smith, 

(?uizot's  History  of  Civilization, 

ll.arth-Stone.   By  Rev,  S.  Osgood, . 

Hobson.    My  Unrlu  and  I, 

IntfoldslA'  I^efrends,  .... 

Isliam's  Mud  Cabin,  .... 

.l..|iii8on's  Meaninif  of  Words,  , 

Kavanl^(h's  Women  of  Christianity,        , 

Letter's  Animal  Maifnetiam, 

Life's  Discipline,    A  Tale  of  Hunga'y,     . 

Letters  from  Home,  A,  D.  138, 

Margaret  Maitland,  , 


imell 


(.'lirlstian 


!.|, 


.^ 


vols. 


Mnlden  and  Married  Life  of  Mary 
Alorton    Montapue ;   cr  a   Youuj. 

Choiee, 

Macaulay's  Miscellanies.  5  vols. 

Minims  of  Wiisliinift  11.    lly.l.  K,  Sc  hroede 

•Mile  Stones  in  our  Life  Journey, 

MINIATURE  CLASS'.    -T,  LIUHARY 

Poetic  I.acon  ;  or,  Aphon^  e  Poets, 

Bond's  Golden  Alaxinm,  . 
Clarke's  Reriptuie  I't' mis 
Kllr,Hbeth  ;  or,  The  Kxi'i  »  ■ 
OoMsmitU't  Vicar  of  Wak 

"  Emiivs,  , 

(Jems  from  Ameii  tm  I'  •  >.  , 
Hannah  More's  rriviiti'  Pevti 

"  "         Prioticnl   I'i.  l^ 

Hemans'  Domestic  Aireilionn,  , 
Hoffman's  I.-tysiM' the  ILuIk  p 
.lohnson's  His  iry  of  Itass'ias,  .        . 

Manual  of  Ma'dmony,  .  ,  .  . 
Moore's  Lalla  llookl,',       ,        .        .        , 

"        Melodies,    Compl'te, 

Paul  and  Virginia, 

Pollok's  Course  of  Time, 

Pur*  Ooid  from  the  Rivers  of  Wisdom, 

Thomson's  Seasons, 

Token  of  the  Heart.      Do,  of  Airecli-n.     IV 
of  Iteiiieinbrance,      l),i.    ot    Kritiidshili 
Do,  of  Love.  Kach,    .... 
Useful  Letter-Writer,       .... 
Wilson's  Sacra  I'rivain,    .... 
VounK's  Nigbt  TbouKhls,  ... 

Little  Pejlinirlnn  and  the  redlim^trnians, 
I'l  ismatirs.  Tales  and  I'oems,  ,  . 
Papers  from  the  Quarterly  P.eview,  . 

Hepi.bllc  of  the  ifnityd  Slates.  Ill  Pi.ties,  Ac 
I'rsservatlun  of  Health  and  Prevention  of  Di 


ease,   

School  for  P(ditlcs.    By  (has,  Gayerre,  . 
8eleet  Ilalinn  Comedies.     Translated, 
Shakespeare's  Scholar,     Hy  K.  G,  While, 
BpeeUtor  (The),     New  ed!  R  vols,  el  Ih, 
Swsll't  Treatise  on  Disease*  uC  the  Chest, 
tlorict  from  Blackwood 


1  25 

9  10 

16 

60 

1  36 

2  00 
1  25 

63 

60 
16 
60 
1  60 
15 
60 
16 
■■; 

60 
1   00 

I  no 

16 

60 

1  00 

I  no 

15 
1  00 

63 
1  90 

15 

60 

16 

6  no 
1  no 
1  on 


38 
31 
38 
31 
38 
88 
38 
SI 
16 
31 
8S 
38 
31 
38 
38 
31 
88 
88 
88 


81 
88 
31 
88 

60 
1  96 

60 
1  00 


16 

16 

IS 

)  60 

»  00 

8  00 

to 


THACKERAY  S  WORKS. 

The  Book  of  Snobs, 

Mr.  Browne's  I,etterB,  .... 
The  Confessions  of  Fltrboodle,  .  . 
The  Fat  Contributor,  .  ,  ,  . 
Jeames'  Diary,  A  Legend  of  the  Rhine, 
The  Luck  of  Barry  Lyndon,     . 

Men's  Wives, 

The  Paris  Sketch  Book.    2  vols. 

The  Shabby  Genteel  Storj-,      , 

The  Yellowplush  Papers.    1  vol.  Ifimo,  . 

Thackeray's  Works.  6  vols,  bound  in  cloth, 

Trescott's  Diplomacy  of  the  Revolution, 
Tuckermnn's  Artist  Life,  ,  .  •  . 
Up  Country  Letters,  .  ,  .  . 
W  ard's  Letters  from  Three  Continents,  . 
"  English  Items,  .... 
Wnmer'a  Rudimeutal  Lessons  in  Music, 
Woman's  Worth, 


60 
60 
60 
60 
60 
00 
60 
00 
60 
50 
00 

15 
15 
16 
10 
00 
60 
88 


Philosophical  Works. 

Cousin's  Course  of  Modem  PhihiS'pliy,  , 
•'         Philosophy  of  the  Beautiful, 
"        on  the  True,  Beautiful,  and  Good, 

Comfe's  Positive  Philosophy,    'i  v(ds. 

Hamilton's  PhiIoso|iliy,   1  vol,  8vo, 

Poetry  and  the  Drama. 

Amelia's  Poems,    1  vol,  12mo.        .        . 

Brownell's  Poeivis,    12nio, 

Bryant's  Poems.     1  vol,  8vo,  Illustrated, 

"  "  Antique  mor, 

"  "  2  vids.  limo,  cloth,      . 

"  "  1  vol,  ISino, 

Byron's  Poetical  Works,    1  vol,  cloth,    . 

"  "  "  Antique  mor. 

Burns'  Poetical  Works.  Cloth,         . 
Butler's  Hndlbras,  ('loth,  ,        .        . 

Campbell's  Poetical  Works.   Cloth, 
Coleridge's  Poetical  Works,    Cluth, 
(owper's  Poetical  Works,        . 
(Jliaucer's  Canterbury  Tales,     .        .        . 
Dante's  I'oems,    Cloth,    .... 
firyden's  Poetical  Works,    Cloth,  . 
Fay  (J.  S.>,  t/lric  j  or,  The  Voices, 
Goethe's  Ipliigenia  in  Tauris.     Translated, 
GilHUaii'a  Kdition  of  the  British  Poets.  12  vols. 

published.  Price  ]icr  vol,  cloth,  . 
Do.  do.  Calf,  per  v(d,  .  .  . 
Griffith's  (Mattie)  Poems, 
Hemans'  Poetical  Works,  2  vols.  16inn. 
HerlMirl's  Pottlcal  Works,  16mo,  cloth, 
KeaU'  Poetical  Works.  Cloth,  12mo,  . 
Kirke  White's  Poetical  Works.  Cloth,  . 
Lord's  Poems,    1  vol,  12mn.      ,        .        . 

"     Christ  In  Hades,    I '.'mo.         .        . 
Milton's  Paradise  Lost.   18mo.        . 

"         Complete  Poetical  Works, 
Moore's  Poetical  Works,    Bvo.  Illustrated, 

"  "  "         Mor,  eitra,    . 

Montgomery's  Sscred  Poems,    1  vol.  isnio. 
I'ope's  Poetical  Works,    1  vol.  l«mo. 
Southey's  Poetical  Works,    1  vol,   , 
Spenser's  Faerie  (>ueene,    1  vol,  clot, 
Scott's  Poetical  Works,    I  vol, 

"      Ijidy  of  the  Lake,    I6mo,    . 

"      Marmlon, 

"      Ij«y  of  the  Lust  Minstrel,     , 
ShaksMare's  hrainatio  Works, 
Tasaos  Jerusalem  Delivered.     1  vol,  16mo. 
Wordsworth  (W.).    The  Prelude,  . 


3  00 
62 

1  60 

4  on 

1  60 


1  25 

15 

3  50 

6  no 


Beligious  Works. 


Arnold's  Rugby  School  Sermons,     .        . 
Anthou's  Catecliiam  on  lbs  Homilies,      . 

"        Early  Catechism  for  Children, 
Qumst'i  History  of  the  Refortnation,  >  Tola. 

•'      Thirty-Nine  ArlicUi, 


on 

63 

no 
no 


1  no 

00 

no 

26 

00 


1 
1 
1 

1  00 


1  00 
8  W 
■6 
3  to 
1  lO 


1  2) 
1  00 

15 
16 
38 

1  nu 
3  on 
6  no 

16 

I  no 

3  00 

I  no 

I  00 

38 

81 

85 

S  00 

«  00 

I  00 


60 

0« 

0« 

•  M 

1  00 


il* 


Hi' 


if 
I 


D.  Ippleton  &  Compa.    N  List  of  New  Works. 


Bradley's  Family  and  Pariah  Sermons,    . 
Cotter's  MnM  and  Rubrics,       ,        .        . 
Coil's  I'uritaniem,      ..... 
Evans'  Rectory  of  Valehead,    . 
Griiyson's  True  Tlieory  of  Christianity,  . 
Gri'siey  on  Prcachine,      .... 
Gritlin  s  (inspel  its  Own  Advocate,  . 
Hecki'r's  Hook  of  the  Soul,       .         . 
Ilociker'a  Complete  Works.  2  Toll. 

.lames'  H«p|iine8ii, 

,I«in>'8  on  the  i\atur->  of  Evil,  .        .        , 

Juivia'  Keply  to  .'  ••,.... 

Kiiitfsley's  Sacred      .loir,  .        . 

Keljle's  Christian  Year,    .... 

Uiynmn's  Letters  to  a  Uisno]K, 

Lo^i.  <'s  Sermons  and  Expositor)'  Lecturft, 

Lyra  Anoat>!ica,        .        .  . 

\IiirBliall'8  Notes  on  Epissor 

Newman's  Sermons  and  Sul)  •{  the  Day, 

"         Esfiay  on  Christi  :trine| . 

Ogiiby  on  Lay  liaptism,    .  ... 

I'eiirson  on  the  Crend,        .  ... 

I'ulpit  Cyclopedia  and  Mini'.,    s'  Companion, 
Sewell'sRending  J'reparp'.ory  to  Conftrmntion, 
Stiuthnrd's  Mystery  ot  OodUness,     ■ 
Sketches  and  Skelolons  of  Sermons, 
Spencor's  Christinn  Instructed,         . 
Sherlock's  Prat-tical  Christian, 
Suiton's  Disce  Vivere — Learn  to  Lire, 
Ijwartz's  Letters  to  my  Godchild,     . 
Trench's  Notes  oa  the  Parables, 

"       Notes  on  the  Miracles. 
Taylor's  Holy  Living  and  Dying,     . 

"  Episcopacy  Asserted  and  Maintained 
Tyng'a  B'amily  Commentary,  . 
WalKer's  Sermons  on  Practical  Subjects, 
WntsiMi  on  Confirmation,  .... 
Wiiberlorce's  Mniiual  lor  Cnnimunicants, 
Wilson's  Lfcturi's  on  Colosniinis,  .  , 
Wyatt's  Chrislinn  Altar,  .... 

Voyages  and  Travels. 

Africa  and  the  Aniericnn  Flap,        ,         . 

Applelons'  Snutliern  and  Western '^lide, 
"  Northern  and  Ijistern  Guide, 

"  Complete  V.  S.  Guide  Book, . 

"  N,  Y.  <:ily  Map,      . 

Bartlett's  New  Mexico.  Ac.  3  vols.  Illustrated 

Buniel's  N.  Western  Territorj'^ 

Bryant's  What  i  i^aw  in  Calilomia, 

C'oggesliall's  Voyages.  2  vols. 

Dix's  Wmter  in  .Madeira, 

Hue's  Travels  in  Tartary  and  TbitH>t,  "2  vols. 

I.ayard's  Nineveh.    I  vi[.  8vo. 

.Noies  of  a  Theological  Student.    I'imo. 

Oliphant'a  Jouniev  to  Katmundn,    . 

I'arkyns'  Abyssinia.    3  vols.     .        . 

Russia  as  it  Is,     By  Gumwski, 
"       By  Count  de  Custine,    , 

Sqnier's  Nicaragua.  2  vols. 

Tnppan's  Step  Irom  the  New  World  to  the  Old, 

Wanderings  and  Fortunes  of  (]erm.  Emigrants, 

Williams'  Isthmus  of  Teliuantepec.  2  vils.  tivo. 

Works  of  Fictioii. 

GRACE   AGUILAIl's  WORKS. 

The  Ihiys  of  Ilriice.    2  vols.  12mo.   . 
Home  Scenes  and  Heart  Studies.   12mo. 
The  Milher's  Reconi(ii'nse.    IVmo. 
Woman's  Kriindship.    12ino.   , 
Women  of  Israi  I.   2  vols.  12ino. 

Basil.  A  Story  of  Modern  Life.  12mo.  . 
Brace's  Fawn'of  the  Pale  Faces.  12mo. 
Hnsv  Moments  of  an  Idle  Woman,  . 
Chestnut  Wood.  A  Tale.  2  vols.  . 
I>on  ()uixotte.  Translated.  Illustmled,  , 
Drury  (A.  >■).  Light  and  Shads,  .  . 
Dupny(A.  E.).  The  Conspirator,  ,  . 
Elton  Parry  ;  or,  Trials  of  ths  Heart, 


.  9  00 

3S 

.  1  00 

60 

.  1  00 

.  I  25 

.  1  00 

.  4  00 

25 

.  I  00 

15 

•!5 

37 

26 

.  1  13 

50 

1  CO 

I  00 

15 

MBS.    XLLIS   WORKS. 

Hearts  and  Homes ;  or.  Social  Distinctions, 
Prevention  Better  than  Cure,  . 
Women  of  England,         .... 


50 

2  00 

2  60 

15 

15 

2  60 

1  00 

15 

15 

3.S 

1  16 

I  15 

1  00 
15 

2  00 
2  00 

OH 
38 
15 
38 


1  25 
1  00 


26 

W 

25 

PO 

00 

26 

60 

1  Oil 

1  00 

1  25 

1  00 
60 

2  60 
1  00 
1  2.') 
6  00 
1   15 

16 

3  60 


1  80 

15 

15 

16 

1  50 

16 
15 
16 
1  16 
1  26 
16 
16 
63 


Emmanuel  Phillibert.    By  Dumas,  . 
Farmingdale.    By  Caroline  Thomas,       .        . 
Fullertuu  (Lady  G.).    Ellen  Middleton, 

"  "  Grantley  Manor.  1  vol. 

12mo. 

"  "  Lady  Bird.  1  vol.  12mo. 

The  Foresters.    By  Alex.  Dumas, 
Gore  (Mrs.).  The  Dean's  Daughter.  1  toI.  12mo. 
Goldsmith's  Vicar  of  Wakefield.    '2mo. 
Gil  .'Mas.  With 500  Engravings.  CI  )th,  gt. edg. 
HariyMuir.    A  Tale  of  Scottish  Life,    . 
Hearts  Unve!!  -d  :  or,  I  Knew  Yoi.  Would  Like 

Him 

Heartsease  ;  or.  My  Brother's  Wife.    2  vols. 

Heir  of  Radclvffe.  2  vols,  cloth, 

Heloise  ;  or.  The  Unrevealed  Secret.  12mo,   , 

Hobson.   My  Uncle  and  1,    i2mo     ,        ,        . 

Holmes' Temp<«st  and  Sunshine     13mo.  . 

Home  is  Home.    A  Domestic  P  .orv, 

H. Witt  (Mary),     "he  Heir o'  West  Wayland, 

lo.   A  Tale  of  the  Ancient  -  ane.    12nio. 

The  Iron  Cousin.    By  Mar    Cowden  Clarke.  . 

James  (G.  P.  R.).   Adrian  ;  or.  Clouds  of  the 

Mhid, 

John ;  or,  Is  a  Cousin  in  the  Hand  Worth  Two 

in  the  Bush, 

JULIA  KAVANAGh's  WORKS. 

Nathalie.  A   I'lile,    12nio. 


Madeline.    12nio 

Daisy  Burns.    12ino.  ,  ... 

Life's  Discipline.    A  Tale  of  Hungary,    . 
Lone  Dove  (The).  A  Legend,  .... 
Liiiny  Lockwood.     By  Catherino  Crowe, 

MISS  lu-INTOSIl's  WOilKS. 

Two  i.ives;  or,  To  Seem  and  To  Be.    linio 
Aunt  Kitty's  Tales.    i2iiio. 
Charms  and  Counler-CharniB.    l2mo. 
Evenings  at  Donaldson  Manor,  ,        . 

The  Lolty  ami  the  Lowly.    2  vols.    . 

Margaret's  Home.    By  Cousin  Alice, 
Mane  Louise  ;  or.  The  Opposite  Neighlx^rs, 
Maiden  Aunt  (The).     A  Story, 
Manxoui.    The  Betrolhid  Lovers.  2  vols. 
Margaret  Cecil ;  or.  I  Can  Because  I  Ought, 
Morton  .Montague  ;  or,  The  Christian's  Choii 
Noriimn  Leslie.    By  (J.  <;.  H.    . 
PrisiiiiiiicB.  1'ales  and  Poems.  By  Haywarde 
Roe  (A.  S.).    James  Montjoy.     I2mo.     . 

"  To  Love  aiicl  to  Be  Lnved.  12mo 

"  Time  and  Tide.    I2mo. 

Reuben  Meillicoll ;  or.  The  Coming  Man, 
R.ise  Douglass.    By  S.  R.  W.  . 

MISS  SEWELl's  WORKS. 

Amy  Herbert.    A  Tale.    l2mo. 
F.xperieiice  of  Life.   l2mo.        .         , 
Gertrude.    A  Tale. 
Katherlne  Ashtoii. 
Laiietoii  Pars'iiiage 
Maiguri"!  I'ercival 


I'imo, 

2  vols,   121110.     . 
A  Tale.    3  vols,  I'.'ino. 
2  vols. 


15 

15 
15 
15 
15 
3  50 
15 


1  00 

15 

1  00 

63 
15 
50 


16 
15 

1  00 
15 

1  60 


Waller  I.<irimer,  and  Other  Tales,    12mo, 

AJuunutI  Kept  for  Children  of  A  VillnKa  School,  1  UO  { 

Sunbeanis  and  S!  'idows.    Cloth,      ...  16 

Thoriwi's  Hive  of  the  Bee  Hunter,   .        .        .  1  00 

ThaeKeray's  Works,    6  vols.  l2mo.          .        ,  t  ou 

The  Virginia  Comedians,     2  vols,  12mo.         ,  1  50 

Use  of  Sunshine.    ByS,  M,  l2mo.  .  11 

Wight's  Romanes  of  Abelard  A  iluluiw).  ISnio.  11  , 

I 


\<^~ 


Works. 


ELLIS   WORKS. 

ir,  Social  Distinctions,      ,    1  60 

tn  Cure,  ....        75 

50 

i  >25 

1  00 

15 

76 
15 
16 
15 
15 
S  50 
15 


,    By  DiimnB,  .       . 
iroline  Thuinas, 
Ellen  Middleton, 
Orantley  Manor.  1  vol. 

13ino. 
Lady  Bird.  1  vol.  ISmo. 
ilex.  Dtiinns, 

m's  Daiigliter.  1  toI.  12ino. 
Wakefield,    'imo. 
igravings.  CI  )tli,  gt.  edg. 
of  Scottish  J  jfe,    . 
I  Knew  Yoi.  Would  Like 

Brother's  Wife.  2  vols. ' 
vols,  cloth,  .  .  . 
•evealed  Secret.  18nio.  . 
nd  1.  ISmo  .  .  . 
i  Sunshine  13mo.  .  . 
tomestic  S'  rf)ry, 
!  Heir  o'  West  Waylnnd, 
icient  ':  ane.  limn.  . 
Mar  Cowden  Clarke,  . 
Idrian  ;  or.  Clouds  of  ttie 

in  the  Hand  Worth  Two 


15 

5 

50 

15 

15 

00 

15 

60 

15 

85 

15 

S5 


iTANAOU  S  WORKS. 
I 'imo. 


Tale  of  Hungary,    . 
Legend,  .        .        .        , 
y  Catherinn  Crowe, 

NTOSll's  WOAK3. 
ecm  and  To  Be.    IJnio 

ChHrnis.    r2mo. 
n  Manor,  .        . 

wly.    S  vols.    . 

ly  Cousin  Alice, 

e  0|i|Hislte  Neighbors, 

A  Sliiry, 

id  Lovers.  S  vols. 
Can  Because  I  C)ught, 
,  The  Christian's  Choice, 
.C.  IL 
1  Poems.  By  Haywarde, 
Mimtjoy.    IVmo. 
e  Hiiil  to  Be  Liived.  I'imo 
ml  Tide,    1  jmo. 
,  Tile  Coming  Man, 

U.  W.  . 

well's  WOUKS. 

limn. 

'Jmo. 

Jnio.        .         ,        . 

Is.  I'iino,    , 
A  'tale,    8  vols,  l-.'mo. 

v..|«.        . 
Olh.'r  Tales,    limo. 


1  00 

15 
1  00 

63 
15 

60 


16 
15 

1  00 
15 

1   6U 


15 
16 

1,'. 
1  .".(I 
'1  is 

1  in 


ildr>>iiorn  Village  School,  1  00  | 

ns.    Clotli,       ...  15 

Hie  Hunter,    .        .        .  1  00 

6  vols.  1'Jmn.          .        .  <  no 

uis,     i  vols,  ISino.         .  1  60 

S.  M,  Wnio.  ,  II 

^belard  k  Huloita.  Itmo.  It 


I 


•V 


c 


B.  APPLJSTOJV  <b  CO:S  PUBLICATIONS. 


Tbe  most  Authentie  and  Eotertaiuing  Life  of'  Napoleon. 


Memoirs  of  Napoleon, 

HIS  COURT  AXD  FAMILY. 

BY  THE  DUCHESS  D'ABRA.NTE3,  (Madame  Junot.) 

Two  Volumes,  8vo.    1134  pages.    Price  $4. 


%isi  of  %in\  3Snigrai)in3S  tontatnf&  iit  tf)is  IllujstrattlJ  Bliitton:. 


NAPOLEO^f. 
JOSEPHINE. 
MARIA  LOUISA, 
DUKE  OF  RKICII8TADT, 


LrCIEN  BONAPAKTE, 
MARSHAL  JUNOT, 
CHARLES  IJONAl'ARTK, 
I'AUMNK  ItOXAPARTE, 


MADAME  LAETITIA  HONAPAUTE,  KLIZA  IIONAPARTE, 
CHARLES  BONAPARTil, 


JEROME  nONAPARTE, 
LOUIS  BONAPARTE, 
CARDINAL  FESCII, 
LOUIS.\,  QUEEN  OF  PRUSSIA, 
JOSEPH  BONAPARTE. 


Probably  no  writer  lias  bad  the  same  op- 
portunities for  becoming  acquainted  witli 

NAPOLEON  THE  GREAT 
as  the  Ducbe.'is  D'Abrantes.  llcr  mother 
rocked  him  in  bis  cradle,  and  when  lie 
quitted  IJrienne  and  came  to  Paris,  sbe  guid- 
ed and  protected  bis  j'Otmger  <laj's.  Scarcely 
a  day  passed  witlioiit  liis  visiting  her  bor-e 
during  tbe  period  which  preceded  his  depar- 
ture for  Italy  as 

COMMANDEIMN-CIIIEF. 

Abundant  occasion  was  therefore  had  for 
watching  the  devclopniont  of  tlie  great  genius 
wlio  afterwards  becauio  the  master  of  the 
greater  part  «f  Europe. 

MAUSHAL  JUNOT, 
who  became  allied  to  the  B..:hr.r  of  this  work 
by  marriage,  was  the  intim.ate  friend  of  Na- 
poleon, and  figured  in  mo-^it  of  tlie 

BRILLIANT  ENGAGEMENTS 

which  rendered  him  the  greatest  military 
captain  of  tlie  age.  No  interruption  took 
place  in  the  Intimacy  whlcii  she  enjoyed,  so 
that  in  all  tlieso  scenes,  embracing  a  period 
of  nearly 

THIRTY  AEARS, 

the  Ducliess  liecame  familiar  with  all  the 
seciet  springs  of 

NAPOLEONS  ACTIONS, 


either  tbrouch  her  husband  or  by  her  own 
person.tl  knowledge  and  observation  at  the 
Court  of  Napolcoii. 

JOSEPHINE, 
whoso  life  and  character  so  peculiarly  attract 
the  atfentioM  of  all  readers,  occupies  a  great 
part  of  tbe  first  volume.    The  character  and 
the  deeds  of 

THE  EMPERORS  AND  KINGS, 

THE  GREAT  MEN  OF  THE  DAT, 

THE  MARSHALS  OF  THE  EMPIRE, 

THE  DISTINGUISHED  LADIES  OF 

THE  COURT, 
are  described  with  minuteness,  which  per- 
soiuil  observation  only  admits  of.    The  work 
is  written  in  that 

FAMILIAR  GOSSIPING  STYLE, 

and  so  intiT.'^persed  with  anecdotes  that  the 
reader  never  wearies.  She  has  put  every 
thing  in  her  book — great  events  and  small. 

BATTLES  AND  BALLS, 

COURT  INTRIGUES  AND  BOUDOIR 

GOSSIP, 

TREATIES  AND  FLIRTATIONS, 

makincr  two  of  the  most  charming  volumes 
of  memoirs,  wldeh  will  interest  the  rekder 
In  spito  of  liimscli.  » 


Opinioua  of  the  Pi  ts». 

*'  These  anecdotes  of  Napoleon  are  the  best  yet  given  to  tlio  w^orld,  because  the  most 
Intimate  anil  fimiliar."— /.oM'/oh  Litt'i'dri/  GuielU'. 

"  We  consider  tlie  performance  now  hoforo  us  as  more  authentic  and  aniusinfe  than  any 
other  oflt-s  kind." — London  QuarUrhj  /ierietr. 

"  Every  thing  relating  to  Napoleon  l.i  lagerly  .sought  for  and  read  In  this  country  as  well 
as  In  Europe,  and  this  work,  with  Its  extraonitnary  attractions,  will  not  fkll  to  command 
t  wide  circulation.  Madame  Junot  possessed  luallflcations  for  writing  a  seml-domestlo 
history  of  the  great  Corslcan  which  no  other  person,  male  or  female,  could  command."— 
TAfe  lUuttraUd. 


D.  AP PL  ETON  <L  CO.' 8  PUBLICATIONS. 
A  Work  aboaading  ii\  Exciting  Scenes  and  Remarkable  Incidents. 

Capt.    Canot ; 

OB, 

TWENTY  YEARS  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVER : 


BKINO   AN   ACCOUNT   OF   HIS   CAREER  AND  ADVENTURES  ON  THE  COAST,  IS 
THE   INTERIOR,    ON  SHIPBOARD,   AND   IN  THE   WEST  INDIES. 

WriUen  ovi  and  EdUedfrom  Vie  Captain's  Journals,  Memoranda,  and  Converaatioiu. 
BY    BRA  ^      Z   MAYER. 


One  Volume,  l2mo.    With  eight  Illustrations.    Price  $1  26. 


Criticisms  of  the  Press. 

"The  author  is  a  literary  frontleinan  of  BaUimore,  no  Abolitionist,  and  we  believe  th« 
work  to  be  a  truthful  account  of  the  life  of  a  man  who  saw  much  more  than  falls  to  the  lot 
of  most  men." — Commonwealth. 

"  A  remarkable  volume  is  this:  because  of  its  undoubtefl  trutii :  it  liavins:  been  derived 
by  Mayer  from  fiersonal  oonvei-sationa  with  Canot,  and  from  journals  wiiich  the  slaver  fur- 
nished of  his  own  life."—  Worcester  Pallinlimn. 

"  Capt.  Canot,  the  hero  of  the  narrative,  is,  to  our  own  knowlodtre,  ii  veritable  person- 
age, and  resides  in  Baltimore.  Tiicre  I?  no  doubt  that  the  main  ineiilents  connected  witli 
his  extraordinary  career  are  in  every  respect  trxK^.""— Arthur's  Iloitte  Gazette. 

"  Under  one  aspect,  as  the  biography  of  a  remarkable  man  who  passed  through  a  sin- 
gularly strange  and  eventful  experience,  it  is  as  interesting  as  any  sea  story  that  we  have 
ever  read." — Bosbm  Evening  Travellf-r. 

"Capt  Canot  has  certainly  passed  through  a  lite  of  difllculty,  da.iger,  and  wild,  daring 
adventure,  which  has  mucli  the  air  of  romance,  and  still  he,  or  rather  his  editor,  tells  the 
tale  with  so  much  straightforwardness,  that  wo  cunnot  doubt  its  truthfulness." — New  York 
Sunday  Despatch. 

"The  work  could  not  have  been  better  done  if  the  principal  actor  had  combined 
the  descriptive  talent  of  De  Foe  with  the  astuteness  of  l-'ouche  and  the  dexterity  of  Oil 
Bias  which  traits  are  ascribed  to  the  worthy  whose  acquaintance  we  shall  soon  make  by 
his  adudiing  editor."— A^.  Y.  Tribune. 

"The  general  style  of  the  work  is  attractive,  and  the  narrative  spirited  and  bold— well 
suited  to  tlie  daring  and  hazardous  course  of  life  led  by  tlie  adventurer.  'I'liis  hook  is. illus- 
trated by  several  excellent  engravings." — liiiltimore  American. 

"The  biography  of  an  African  slaver  as  taken  from  his  own  lips,  and  giving  his  adven- 
tures In  this  trattlc  for  twenty  years.  Witli  great  natural  keennc-^s  of  perception  and  com- 
plete communicativeness,  he  lias  literally  uiimaskecl  his  real  life,  and  tells  butli  what  htt 
was  nfid  what  hesau\  the  latter  being  the  P/iotoora/ih  of  the  Negro  in  Aft-iea,  which  has 
been  so  li>ntr  wanted.  A  nejdiew  of  .Mr.  Mayer  has  illustrated  the  volume  with  eijilit  ad- 
mirable drawings.  We  should  think  no  book  of  the  jiresent  day  would  bo  received  with 
So  keen  an  liitere-t"— //"«(«  Jonrnaf. 

"  Ciipt  Canot  has  im.ssed  most  of  his  life  since  1SI9  on  the  ocean,  and  his  catalogue  of 
adventures  at  sea  anil  on  land,  rival  io  irrotesqueness  aiul  apparent  im]iroliabiiity  the  mar- 
vels of  IJohliisou  Crusoe." — Kr:»uin(f  Pod. 

"If  stirring  Indilent^,  l-ilr-breadth  er,ca|ies,  and  variety  of  ad  venture,  can  make  o  book 
interesting,  this  must  rM>s<i.<s  abundant  attraelions."    Newark  Daili/  A<ivertiner. 

"Tills  is  a  true  record  of  the  life  of  one  who  liad  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  days  in 
dealing  In  luiman  de^h.  We  commend  this  book  to  all  lovers  of  adventure." — Boston 
ChriMan  Re<u»rd'r. 

"  We  would  advise  every  one  who  Is  a  lover  of  '  books  that  are  books' — every  one  who 
admires  Lo  BHgo  and  De  Foe,  and  has  lingered  long  over  the  charming  pages  of  Oil  Blai 
and  Robinson  Crusoe — every  one,  pro-slavery  or  anti-slavery,  to  purchase  this  Ixwk."— 
Buffalo  Courier. 


Incidents. 


ER: 

:nE  COAST,  IS 

NDIES. 

I  Conversatiotui. 


we  believe  thn 
n  fulls  tu  the  lut 

nsr  been  derived 
1  tlie  slaver  fiir- 

"critable  person- 
connected  will) 

1  tliroua:!!  a  sin- 
•y  that  we  liavo 

ind  wild,  daring 
ditiir.  tolls  the 
"'— iVtffc  Yorlf 

hiid  combined 
lexterity  of  Oil 
s(M)n  make  by 

md  bold— well 
book  is.lllus- 

nsj  his  adven- 
)tio,'i  and  coin- 

both  what,  bd 
'ic.'i,  which  has 
with  eijiht  ad- 

rei'olved  with 

is  catftlojrno  of 
jlilty  the  nmr- 

iiiake  a  book 

)f  his  days  In 
lire." — BvHtuH 

very  one  who 
of  Oil  ItlM 
this  book."- 


D.  APPLETON  &  CO:S  PUBLICATIONS. 


Rer.  Samuel  Osgood's  Two  Popular  Books. 


I. 


Mile  Stones  in  our  Life  Journey. 

SECOND   EDITION. 
One  Volume,  12mo.    Cloth.    Price  |1. 


Opinions  of  the  Press. 
In  so  small  a  compsss,  vre  rarely  meet  witb  more  Catholic  sympathies,  and  with  a 
er  or  more  practical  view  of  the  privileges  enjoyed  by,  and  the  duties  enjoined,  upon 
II,  at  any  stage  of  our  mortal  piigrimasc ."— C/tJtrcA  Journal. 
Some  passages  remind  us  forcibly  of  Addison  and  Goldsmith."' — Independent. 
This  little  volume  is  one  of  those  books  which  are  read  by  all  classes  at  all  stages  ol 
witli  an  interest  which  loses  nothing  by  change  or  circumstances." — Pennsylvnnian. 
He  writes  kindly;  strongly  and  readably;  nor  Is  their  any  thing  in  this  volume  of  a 
ow,  bigoted,  or  sectarian  character.'" — Life  JUuntrat^d. 

His  counsels  are  faithful  and  wholesome,  his  reflection  touching,  and  the  whole  is 
led  in  a  style  graceful  and  free." — Hartford  Relig,  Herald. 

This  is  a  volume  of  beautiful  and  cogent  essays,  virtuous  in  motive,  simple  in  expres- 
periincnt  and  admirable  in  logic,  and  glorious  in  conclusion  and  climax." — Baffala 
reus. 

It  is  written  with  exquisite  taste,  is  full  of  beautiful  thought  most  felicitously  ox- 
ed,  and  is  pervaded  by  a  genial  and  benevolent  spirit" — Dr.  Sprague. 
Almost  every  page  has  a  tincture  of  elegant  scholarship,  and  bears  witness  to  an  «• 
ve  reading  of  good  authors."— JJ/'yajit. 


II. 

The  Hearth-Stone  ; 

THOUGHTS  UPON  HOME  LIFE  IN  OUR  CITIES. 
BY  SAMUEL  OSGOOD, 

AOTnOR  OF  "  STUDIES  IN  CUBISTIAM  BIOQRAPUT,"   "  QOD  WITH  MKN,"  KTO. 

FOUIITII   EDITION. 
One  Volume,  12mo.    Cloth.    Price  $1. 


Criticisms  of  </w  Press. 

This  is  a  volume  of  elegant  and  im[)rcsslve  essays  on  tho  domestic  relations  and  reli- 
s  duties  of  the  household.  Mr.  Osgood  writes  on  these  interesting  themes  in  the  most 
ining  and  animated  style,  winning  the  reader's  judgment  rather  than  coercing  it  to  the 
lors  conclusions.  The  predominant  sentiments  in  the  book  are  purity,  sincerity,  and 
A  more  delightful  volume  has  rarely  been  publisiied,  and  we  trust  it  will  have  i 

ciiTiilulion,  for  its  influence  must  bo  salutary  upon  both  old  and  young." — Commcr- 

Advertiser. 

The » Hearth-Stone'  is  the  symbol  of  all  tho.se  delightful  truths  which  Mr.  Osgood  hert 

octH  with  it  In  a  free  and  graceful  style,  varying  from  deep  solemnitj  to  the  most 
al  and  lively  tone,  as  beflts  his  range  of  subjects  ho  give-s  Attention  to  wise  tlioushta 

olv  things,  and  homely  trathn.    His  volume  will  And  many  warm  hearts  to  whioli  it 

address  w»\t."— Christian  Sxaminer. 


i 

II: 


D.  APPLETOIT  &  CO:^  PUBLICATIONS. 


A  Oreat  National  Work. 


Party  Leaders. 


SKETCHES  OF 
JEFFERSON,  HAMILTON,  RANDOLPH,  JACKSON,  AND  CLAY 
Indttding  Notices  of  many  other  Diatinguiahed  American  Statesmen. 

J^Y  J.  G.  BALDWIN, 
(Now  of  San  Francisco,  California.)    Author  of  "  Flush  Times  of  xUabama  and  Misslssipp 

One  Volume,  12mo.    Cloth.    Price  |1. 


OPINIONS     OF    EMINENT     MEN. 

Fro7n  Ex- President  Ftllmore. 

I  have  read  "  Party  Leaders"  with  great  satisfaction  and  delight,  and  return  you  a  tlii 
sand  thanks  for  the  pleasure  and  instruction  I  have  derived  fi-om  tlic  perusal. 
From  JTonorahle  Edwaud  Evekett. 

What  little  I  have  as  yet  been  able  to  read  of  it,  has  impressed  mo  very  favorably  in 
ference  to  the  ability  and  impartiality  with  which  it  is  drawn  up,    I  am  prepared  ton 
It  with  interest  and  advantage,  in  consequence  of  the  pleasure  I  derived  from  "Tiie  I'i^ 
Times  in  Alabama." 

From  Honorable  J.  P.  Kennedy. 

I  was  greatly  delighted  with  the  fine,  discriminating,  acute  insight  with  which  liecl 
racters  presented  in  the  worli  are  drawn,  and  with  the  eloquent  style  of  the  sketcliis. 
but  repeat  the  common  opinion  of  the  best  judges,  which  I  hear  every  where  expnsa 
when  I  commend  these  qualities  of  the  book. 

"The  Flush  Times  of  Alabama"  had  whetted  my  desire  to  see  this  second  pioiluoiio 
of  Mr.  Baldwin's  pen,  aud  1  can  hardly  express  to  you  the  agreeable  surprise  I  eiijiivtJ 
finding  a  work  of  such  surpassing  merit  in  a  tone  and  manner  so  entirely  different  froiiit 
first— demonstrating  that  double  gift  in  the  author  which  enables  him  to  excel  in  twu  m 
opposite  departments  of  literature. 

From  I/on.  U.  M.  T.  Huntee,  U.  S.  Senator  from  Virginia. 

I  have  read  "  Party  Leaders"  with  great  pleasure.    It  is  written  with  ability,  and  «i 
freshness,  and  grace  of  style,        *       *       *       The  chapters  on  Bandolph  are  cuiiiuil. 
From  Hon.  James  M.  Mason,  C.  S.  Senator fvom  Virginia. 

I  have  heard  "Party  Leaders"  highly  commended  by  those  competent  to  jmlge.  ti 
confess  I  was  not  prepared  for  the  intellectual  and  literary  feast  its  rich  pages  have  yicltie 

As  a  literary  work,  I  shall  be  much  disappointed  if  it  does  not  place  its  author  ut  oni 
In  the  first  rank  of  American  literature,  and  even  in  old  England.  I  shall  look  fur  \\a  pla 
next  to,  if  not  by  the  side  of,  tue  kindred  works  of  Mcintosh  and  Mocaulay. 

From  a  Distinguished  Statesman. 

It  is  a  noble  production,  full  of  profound  thought,  discriminating  Judgment,  just  crli 
cism,  and  elevated  sentiments,  all  expressed  in  the  most  captivating  and  eloquent  stylo. 
is  a  book  Just  according  to  my  fancy,  and,  I  think,  one  of  the  most  cAptivating  In oi 
language. 


UBLIGATIONS. 
I  Work. 


lers. 


I,  JACKSON,  AND  CLAY 
ished  American  Stateamen. 

WIN, 

1  Times  of  i,iJabama  and  Mlssissipp 

Price  II. 

K  T     MEN. 
.LMORE. 

1  and  deligbt,  and  return  you  a  thi 
Ived  from  the  perusal. 

EVEKETT. 

1  impressed  me  very  fiivorably  in 
s  drawn  up.  I  am  prepared  to  ri 
leasure  I  derived  from  "  The  Fit 

SNN'EDY. 

acute  insiglit  witli  wliieh  Jiecll 
eloquent  style  of  the  sketcln-s.  [ 
icli  I  liear  every  where  exprissJ 

lesire  to  see  this  second  proiliiciiij 
tbe  agreeable  surprise  I  enj(].vii!i[ 
lanncr  so  entirely  different  fn,ii:ilj 
h  enables-  him  to  excel  in  two  m 


ator  from  Virginia. 

t  is  written  with  ability,  and  h 

apters  on  Kandoiph  are  caiiibl. 

lator/vom  Virginia. 

)y  those  competent  to  jmlgo.  t 

•y  feast  its  rich  pages  have  yielJi 

.  does  not  place  its  author  at  on 

li^nglnnd.    I  shall  look  fur  in  |4 

itosh  and  Macaulay. 

teaman. 

scriminating  judgment,  just  cril 

captivating  and  eloquent  stylo.  ', 

ono  of  the  most  captivating  inoi 


J).  APPLETON  &  go: a  PUBLICATIONS. 


A  Practical  Book  on  the  Breedings  of  Fish. 


A  COMPLETE  TREATISE  ON 

Artificial  Fifli-Breeding : 

INCLUDING  THE  REPORTS  ON  THE  SUBJECT  MADE  TO  THE  FRENCH 
ACADEMY  AND  THE  FRENCH  GOVERNMENT,  AND  PARTICU- 
LARS OF  THE  DISCOVERY  AS  PURSUED  IN  ENGLAND. 

TBANSLATED  AMD  EDITED  BY 

WM.  H.  FRY. 
ILLUSTRATED    WITH   ENQRAVINOS. 

One  Volume.    12mo.    Cloth.    Price  75  cent& 


Opinions  of  the  Press. 

"  A  very  genial  and  entertaining,  though  practical  and  scientific  boolc.  No  one  who 
loves  tbe  existence  in  our  rivers,  brooks,  or  lakes,  of  trout  and  salmon,  s.'<>uld  be  without 
iV— Broome  Republic. 

"  In  this  little  volume,  the  whole  process  of  fish-culture  is  described  so  plainly  and  with 
BO  much  minuteness  that  any  persou  will  have  no  difiiiculty  in  informing  himself  sufficiently 
well  to  engage  in  the  business ;  provided  he  has  the  necessary  facilities  and  leisure,  with  a 
good  running  stream  or  pond,  and  the  proper  attention,  a  great  brood  of  fishes  may  bo 
batched  from  the  eggs,  and  icised  up  for  the  market  or  the  table ;  and  such  delicacies  are 
trout  and  salmon,  that  it  is  evident  that  the  business  of  producing  them  for  sale  may  be 
made  profitable." —  Worcester  Palladium.. 

"  This  discovery  is  treated  as  a  matter  of  great  public  benefit  in  France  and  England, 
where  it  is  practised  under  the  direction  and  patronage  of  Government,  and  is  beginning  to 
work  its  results  in  stocking  rivers  and  lakes,  with  the  finest  species  of  fish,  where  few  or 
none  have  before  existed  for  many  years." — Ohio  Cultivator. 

"  Every  fiirmer  who  has  a  stream  flowing  through  his  land,  or  miller  wh«)  wishes  to  turn 
his  ponds  to  some  account,  should  make  himself  acquainted  with  the  details  of  the  book.** 
—Ifewark  Dotty  Adverttaer. 


"  A  6BEAT,  A  OLOBTOUS  BOOK/'-Conr.  &  Enq. 


D.  APPLETON  &  CO.,  346  &  348  BROADWAY, 


HAVE  JUST  PUBLISHED 


THE  YIRGINIA  COMEDIANS; 


OB, 


®lJr  i)aj)s  ill  t\t  #1^  |lanuui0ti. 


ml 

I 


14 


FROH  THE  MSS.  OK 

C.  EFFINGHAM,  Esq. 

Two  vols.  12rao.  paper,  $1 ;  cloth,  $1  60. 
A  volnme  which  has  been  pronounced  the  best  novel  of  the  day. 


Peruse  the  criticisms  of  the  following  papers. 

"It  Is  not  onlynnllke  the  monstrous  mass  of  efforts  whJch  nave  preceded  It — and 
therefore,  attractive  in  the  light  of  comparison,  and  for  its  perfect  newness— but  it  ig 
freighted  with  such  an  ardor  of  style,  fervor  of  imagination,  beauty  of  description,  both 
as  regards  characters  and  scenes,  and  a  plenitnde-of  geniui  spirit,  that  its  reader  is  sure 
to  be  its  lover. ' 

"The  story,  ■which  Commences  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  is  located  in 
Virginia,  Its  persona  in  dramatis  being  composed  of  many  choice  spirits  who  figured, 
or  were  supposed  to  figure,  at  that  period.  We  have  not  seen  its  equal  for  many  a  day, 
ftnd  heartily  apply  to  it  the  old  verse, 

'  May  this  book  continue  In  motion, 
And  Its  leaves  every  day  be  unfurled.' " 

Biifalo  Courier. 

"  The  period  of  the  story  Is  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century ;  the  place  Williams- 
burg, Virginia,  and  its  vicinity;  the  characters  Virginia  gentlemen  of  that  day  and 
generation,  among  whom  comes  Beatrice  JTullam,  the  leading  actress  of  a  company  of 
comedians  of  that  ilk,  and  one  of  the  most  str'.iving,  truthful,  and  lovable  characters  in 
modern  fiction.  The  interest  of  the  book  never  flags.  The  characters  are  such  that  we 
cannot  be  indifferent  to  them,  and  the  author  absorbs  us  in  their  actions  and  their  fate." 
— Courier  <&  Enquirer. 

"  The  tone  of  the  book  is  intensely  national  It  has  come  on  us  completely  by  sur 
pitso,  for  we  had  no  conception  of  its  character,  until  we  were  half  through  the  first 
volume,  and  we  must  confess  that  we  were  at  the  outset  extremely  unprepared  tan 
mob  a  display  of  literary  power,"— J^  Y.  Express, 


•'!»i;-  •';  <■'- 


<■•    ;<».■* 


<*<>«►'' 


a.  &  Enq. 

BROADWAY, 


EDIANS; 


tiunion. 


J).  Appleton  &  Company^s  Pulilicatlons. 


$1  60. 

novel  of  the  day. 

'  papers. 

[i  nave  preceded  it— and 
•feet  newness— but  it  ia 
auty  of  description,  both 
tt,  that  Its  reader  is  sure 

st  century,  is  located  in 
olce  spirits  who  figured, 
ts  equal  for  many  a  day, 


Biifnlo  Courier. 
ry;  the  place  Wllllams- 
emen  of  that  day  and 
ictress  of  a  company  of 
lovable  characters  In 
■acters  are  such  that  we 
actions  and  their  fate." 

us  completely  by  snr 
half  through  the  flnl 
emely  unprepared  ft* 


'^  Chestnut  Wood  will  light  up  many  a  hearth  with  pleasnrt.'* 


CHESTNUT    WOOD: 

in  imrtitan  'Mt 

BY     LIELE     LINDEN. 
■jlVo  volumes,  12mo.    Paper  covers,  $1  25;  cloth,  |1  Y6. 


PLOT  OF  THE   8T0KY. 

Chestnut  Wood  is  a  country-seat,  near  Sleepy  IIoUow,  owned  and 
occupied  by  Mr.  Atherton,  a  man  of  stern  but  not  unkind  disposition. 
The  better  feelings  of  his  heart  are  brought  into  action,  by  the  circum- 
stances of  his  young  grand-daughter,  Sybil,  the  heroine  of  the  tale,  who 
is  thrown,  by  the  death  of  her  mother  at  a  far:n-house  in  the  vicinity, 
where  she  has  been  rescued  from  exposure  on  the  road,  upon  his  pro- 
tection. The  father  of  Sybil,  as  may  be  inferred  from  the  fate  of  her 
mother,  is  a  worthless  scoundrel,  who  endeavors,  with  the  help  of 
associates  as  worthless  as  himself,  to  get  possession  of  the  child.  They 
succeed  in  carrying  her  off,  and  concealing  her  in  New  York,  where 
they  employ  her  as  an  unooncious  agent  in  the  circulation  of  counter- 
feit money.  She  escapes  fi'om  the  wardship  of  an  old  misshapen  hag, 
Moll,  and  is  brought  back  to  her  home  at  Chestnut  Wood ;  where,  how- 
ever, she  is  still  nubject  to  occasional  manifestations  from  the  seme 
source. 


Opinicns  of  the  Press. 

"  One  of  the  pleasantest  characwrs  in  the  book  is  Jerry  Goldsmith,  a  Yankee  Caleb 
Qnotem,  ready  to  turn  his  hand  to  any  thing,  and  more  profuse  in  promise  than  per- 
formance."— Churchman, 

"One  who  has  read  it  from  preface  tnfinia,  pronounces  it  delightful;  and  hanva 
our  praise.  She  says  there  are  spots  that  those  who  liavo  tears  can  cry  o\  er,  but  never 
80  sad  that  the  tears  need  scald  much." — N.  Y.  Daily  Itmen. 

"  We  commend  to  men,  women,  and  even  children,  a  perusal  of  'Chestnut  Wood.' " 
Lawrence  Sentinel. 

"This  work  will  bo  read.    It  has  all  the  elements  of  a  snccessftil  book,  viz:  origin 
allty,  interest,  power,  and  strong  characterization." — Berks  County  Presa, 

"It  will  please  trory  Its  truthftilncss  to  nature,  and  from  the  effect  it  will  leave  o» 
the  mind  of  the  readi      —Hartford  Courant. 

"Its  plot  is  well  developed,  is  Ingenious,  but  not  too  intricate,  and  is  managed 
ihroughout  with  the  skill  of  a  mt&Ur."— Palladium. 

"The  characters  are  very  well  and  forcibly  drawD,  particularly  the  'cute  TaakM^ 
Jerry  Goldsmltlt  '—Mobile  Adv. 


D.  Appleton  &  Com/pany^»  Publications. 


"A    WORK    WHICH    BEARS    THE    IMPRESS    OP    OENIDS." 


fix    X 


Kl'::i" 


Wi' 


m 


K  AT  MARINE    ASHTON. 

By    the    author    of   "Amy    Herbert,"    "Gertrude."    dso, 
2  vols.  I'irno.     Paper  covers,  ;ifi  ;  cloth,  Si  50. 

Opinions  of  the  Press. 

We  kno;v  not  wliero  wc  wilt  find  purer  morals,  or  more  valuable  "Hfe-phlU«ophy, 
9i«n  in  the  pages  of  Miss  SewpU. — Suvannnh  Georgian. 

The  stylo  and  clinracter  of  Mi'^s  Sewell's  writings  are  too  well  known  to  the  reailing 
pnblio  to  need  oommend.ition.  Tlie  present  volnnio  will  only  add  to  her  reputation  aa 
kn  authoress. — Albaiuj  Trdiincript. 

This  novel  is  admirably  calculiitcil  to  inculcate  refined  moral  and  religions  sentt 
inenta,— ^os/on  Herald. 

Tilt*  Interest  of  the  story  is  well  sustained  tliroughout,  and  it  is  altogether  one  of  th« 
Dieiisantest  books  of  the  season. — Si/racuse  Standard. 

Tliose  wlio  have  read  tlio  former  works  of  this  writer,  will  welcome  tlie  appearance 
of  this ;  it  is  equal  to  tlie  best  of  her  preceding  novels. — Savannah  Reptihliaan. 

Noble,  beautiful,  selfish,  bard,  an<l  ngly  characters  appear  in  it,  and  each  is  so  drawn 
aa  to  be  felt  and  estimated  as  it  (Kiserves. — ComiiKnnot>aUh. 

A  re-publication  of  a  good  English  novel.  It  teaches  self-control,  charity,  and  a 
true  estiinatitm  of  life,  by  the  Intcre.Hing  liistory  of  a  young  girl. — Ifarlford  Coiirant. 

Katharine  Ashton  will  enhance  the  reputation  already  attained,  the  story  and  tlie 
moral  being  equally  commendable.— 5'<^''/o  Courier. 

Like  all  its  predecessors,  Katharine  Astiton  bears  the  impress  of  genius,  consocrntod 
to  the  noblest  purposes,  and  should  find  a  welcome  in  every  family  circle. — liiniiier 
of  the  Cross. 

No  one  can  be  Injured  by  books  like  this ;  a  great  many  must  be  benefited.  Few 
authors  have  sent  so  many  faultless  writings  to  the  press  as  she  has  done. —  Worcester 
Pidladium. 

The  nelf-denial  of  the  Christian  life,  in  its  application  to  common  scenes  and  cir 
cumstances,  is  happily  illustrated  in  the  example  of  Katharine  Ashton,  In  which  tliere 
Is  much  to  admire  and  imitate  — Southern  Churchman. 

Tier  present  work  is  an  interesting  tale  of  English  country  life,  is  written  with  hei 
usual  ability,  and  is  quite  free  from  any  offensive  parade  of  her  own  theological  tenets. 
—  Mtiston  Traveller. 

The  field  in  which  Miss  Sewell  labors,  seems  to  bo  exhaustlcss,  and  to  yield  always 
a  beautiful  and  a  valuable  harvest—  Troy  Daily  Budget. 

D.  APPLKTON  &  COMPANY 
Have  recently  published  the  following  interesting  works  by  the  same  author. 

THE  EXPERIENCE  OF  LIFE.     1  vol.  12mo.    Paper,  50  cents; 

cloth,  75  cents. 
THE    EARL'S    DAUGHTER.      1   vol.   12mo.     Paper,  50  cents; 

cloth,  75  cents. 
GERTRUDE:  a  Tale.     1  vol.  12ino.     Paper,  60  cts;  cloth,  75  cts. 
AMY  HERBEIIT:    A  Tale.      1  vol.    12nio.      Paper,   50  cents; 

cloth  75  cents. 

L.XNETON    PARSONAGE.       3    n-oIs.    12mo.       Paper,    $1  50, 

eiotb,  |2  25. 

MARGARET  PERCIVAL.     2  vols.  Paper,  $1 ;  cloth,  |1  50. 
READING  FOR  A  MONTH.     12ino.  cloth,  75  cents. 

A    JOURNAL  KEPT   DURING  A   SUMMER  TOUR.     1  vol 

oloth,  $1  00. 
WALTER  LORIMER  AND  OTHER  TALES.     Oloth,  75  cente 
THE  CHILD'S  FIRST  HISTORY  OF  ROME.     50  conti». 
THE  CHILD'S  FIRST  HISTORY  OF  GEEECE.     G8  cents. 


Ications. 


OF    GENIUS'^ 


ortrude."    Aa, 
h,  Si  50. 


aluablo  "Hfe-phiI(«ophy, 

well  known  to  thereaillng 
!y  add  to  her  reputation  aji 

moral  and  religious  eentt 

i  it  ia  alU)gether  one  of  th« 

I  welcome  the  appearance 
nnah  Republican. 

in  it,  and  each  is  so  drawn 

self-control,  charity,  find  8 
firl. — Ifariford  Couf<tnt. 

attained,  the  story  and  tlie 

•ess  of  genius,  consecrated 
•y  famify  c\K\Q,—Bitnner 

lust  be  benefited.      Few 
ihe  has  done. —  Worcester 

common  scenes  and  cir 
16  Asliton,  in  which  there 

•y  life,  is  written  with  bei 
own  theological  tenets. 

tless,  and  to  yield  always 


ks  by  the  same  author. 

Paper,  50  cents; 

Paper,  50  cents; 

)  cts;  cloth,  75  cts. 
Paper,   50  cents; 

Paper,    $1  50, 

clotli,|l  50. 
cents. 
R   TOUR.      1  vol 

Cloth,  76  oenta 
60  conb'. 
IE.     G8  cents. 


ffew  Copyright  Works,  Adapted  for  Popular  Beading. 

JUST  PUBLISHED. 
BY  D.  APPLETON  dk  CO. 

PERSONAL    NARRATIVE    OF    EXPLORA- 

TIONS  AND  INCIDENTS  IN  TEXAS,  NEW  MEXICO,  CALIFOR. 
NIA,  SONORA,  AND  CHIHUAHUA,  CONNECTED  WITH  THl 
MEXICAN  BOUND AET  COMMISSION,  DURING  THE  YEARS  1800 
%1,  '52,  and  'C8. 

BT  JOHN  BUSSELL  BABTLETT, 

United  States  Commissioner  during  that  period 
In  2  vols.  8vo,  of  nearly  600  pages  each,  printed  with  largt 
•jpe  and  on  extra  fine  paper,  to  he  illustrated  with  nearly  100 
wood-cuts,    sixteen    tinted    lithographs    and    a    heautiful    map^ 
€XH  raved  on  steel,  of  the  extensive  regions  traversed.   Price,  $6. 

AFRICA  AND  THE  AMERICAN  FLAG. 

BY  ANDEEW  H.    FOOTE, 

Jjiiutenant  Commanding  the  U.  S.  Brig  Porpoise,  on  the  Coast  >)/ 

Africa,  1851-'63. 

With  tinted  lithographic  illustrations.     One  volume  12mo. 

IIL 

CAPT.  CANOT:  or,  TWENTY  YEARS  OF  A 

SLAVER'S  LIFK 
EOrrED  BY  BRANTZ  MAYEB. 

With  numerous  illustrations.     One  vol.  1 2mo,  oloth. 

RUSSIA  AS  IT  IS. 

BT  THE   OOVMT   DE   OUBOWSKI. 

One  vol.  12mo,  cloth. 

TEMPEST   AND    SUNSHD^;    or,   LIFE   IN 

KENTUCKY. 
BT  MBS.  MAEY  J.  HOLMES. 

One  vol.  12mo,  paper  cover  or  doth. 

FARMINGDALE. 

A    TALE    BT    0  A  B  O  L  I  N  E    THOMAS. 

One  vol.  I2mo,  paper  cover  or  cloth. 

*«*    Excels  in  interest,  and  is  qoite  eqnal  in  its  delineation  of  charmtar  ¥ 
Tha  Wide,  Wide  World." 

VIL 

THE  HIVE  OF  THE  BEE  HUNTER. 

BT  T.  B.  THORPE. 

Wiik  MTeral  illuitrationB.    One  voL  T2mo,  olotk 


K 


'I 


I).  AP  PL  ETON  &  CO:S  PUBLICATIONS. 


Olaoloo   ZSTexTVT-   JSl3:^s^ek>Ta.<5L  'Fal.i 


f 


FARMING  DALE, 

A  TALE. 

BY  CAROLINE  THOMAS. 
Two  volumes,  12mo.i  paper  covers,  75  cents,  or  2  volumes  in  1,  cloth,  tl 

"  It  is  a  8*''ry  of  New  England  life,  skilfully  Md,  flill  of  tender  Interest,  healthy  In  tti 
Mutlmenta  and  remarkably  graphic  in  its  eletches  of  character.  'Aunt  Betsy'  is.  drawn 
to  the  Ufa"— //o«i«  Gazette. 

"  Faruilngdale  is  the  best  novel  of  the  season." — Em.  Post. 

"It  will  compare  favorably  with  the  'Lamplighter,'  by  Miss  Cummings,  and  the 
Wide,  Wide  World,'  by  Miss  "Warner,  and  in  interest  it  Is  quite  equal  to  either."— Boston 
Tt'iinscript, 

" '  i'armlngdale,'  the  work  to  which  we  allude.  In  every  page  and  paragraph,  is  redolent 
of  Its  native  sky.  It  is  a  tale  of  New  England  domestic  life,  in  its  Incidents  and  manners 
so  true  to  nature  and  so  free  from  exaggeration,  and  in  Its  impul''.?s  and  motives  throughout 
80  throbbing  with  the  real  ^.nerican  heart,  that  wo  shall  not  bo  surprised  to  hear  of  as 
many  Kew  England  villages  claiming  to  bo  the  scene  of  its  story,  as  were  the  cities  of 
Greece  that  claimed  to  be  the  birth-place  of  Uomov.'^—Philadefp/iid  Courier. 

•'  The  story  abounds  in  scenes  of  absorbing  interest  The  narration  is  every  where  de- 
Ightfully  clear  and  straightforward,  flowing  forth  towards  its  conclusion,  like  a  gentle  and 
impid  stream,  between  gracefu'  hillsides  and  verdant  meadows."— //(//-i^  Journal, 

"This  is  a  story  of  country  life,  written  by  a  hand  whoso  guiding  power  was  a  living 
soul.  The  pictures  of  life  are  siMiaking  and  effective.  The  story  is  intdrcstingly  told  and  its 
high  moral  aim  well  sustained." — Syracuse  Chronicle. 

"  *  Farmingdale,'  while  It  has  many  points  in  common  with  some  recent  works  of  fio» 
tion,  is  yet  highly  original  The  author  htto  bad  tl;«.  boldness  to  attempt  a  novel,  the  main 
Interest  of  which  does  not  binge  either  jpon  love  or  matrimony,  nor  upon  complicated  and 
entangled  machinery,  but  upon  a  simple  and  apparently  artless  narrative  of  a  ftiendlesd 
ffirV— Philadelphia  Eve.  3fail. 

"The  author  studiously  avoids  all  forced  and  unnatural  incidents,  and  the  equally 
Ikslilonable  affectation  of  cxtravngsM  langunge.  Her  style  and  diction  are  remarkable  tat 
their  purity  and  case.  In  the  conception  and  delineation  of  character  she  has  shown  her- 
lolf  pos.<es8cd  of  the  true  creative  power." — Com.  Adv. 

"  A  simple  yet  beautlt^il  story,  told  in  a  simple  and  beautiful  manner.  The  object  is  to 
uliow  the  devoted  affection  of  a  sister  to  a  young  brotlier,  and  the  sacrlflces  which  she  made 
fur  lilni  fVoui  childhood.  There  i!<  a  toucliing  hitnplivlty  in  the  character  of  this  interesting 
iVnitfle  that  will  please  all  readers,  and  benefit  many  of  her  kcx." — llar^ford  Cotirant. 

''The  tale  is  prettily  written,  and  breathes  throughout  an  excellent  moral  tono.''— Z<ci/uti 
OiiHl/  Journal. 

"*  We  have  read  this  book  ;  it  Is  lively,  spirited,  and  In  some  part>t  jtathetia  Its  hketehot 
(A  life  soevn  to  us  at  once  graceful  and  \lvld." — Albany  Argua. 

"The  b<M)k  is  well  written,  in  a  simple,  unpretending  style,  and  the  dialogno  is  naturaS 
ii<?  easy.  It  is  destined  to  gr-sat  popularity  among  all  classes  of  readers.  Paranta  wh« 
•i^ect  placing  *  love  tales '  In  the  hands  of  their  children,  ma/  purchase  this  volume  with- 
•ut  fear.  The  oldest  and  ijo  yoimgest  will  become  interested  In  Its  f^clnatlng  pages,  airf 
dosr  it  with  the  Impreislon  that  it  ia  a  good  book,  and  d<werving  of  tbt  greatest  popularity.* 
-  Worc4>*t«r  Palladium, 


t 


vs. 


a?Ai4 


n  1,  cloth,  $1 

:crost,  healthy  in  iti 
it  Betsy'  is.drtwii 


ummlngs,  and  the 
to  either."— J?oston 

[iragraph,  Is  redolent 
idents  and  uiannora 
motives  tliroiighout 
)i  !»cd  to  liear  of  as 
s  were  tlio  cities  of 
Cotirier. 

is  every  where  de- 
)□,  like  a  gentle  and 
le  Journal, 
power  was  a  living 
■cstingly  told  and  its 

recent  worlis  of  fic- 
pt  a  novel,  the  main 
ton  complicated  and 
ative  of  a  Mondleu 

ts,  and  the  equally 
are  remarlcable  fbr 
she  has  sIiowd  her- 

sr.    The  object  lit  to 
Ices  wlilch  she  mado 
If  of  tilts  interesting 
furd  Couraiit. 
tioral  ton»,^'—Oo$tiM 

ithetla    Ita  Kketolioa 

I  dialogue  Is  naturaS 
ilers.  Parants  wlia 
le  this  volume  wltii> 
scinating  pages,  aal 
;reateiit  popularity.* 


PARKYNS'  ADVENTURES  IN  ABYSSINIA 


D.  APPLETON  &  COMPANY,  846  &  348  Broadwav 

HAYB  JPBT  PUBLISRKD 

LIFE  IN  ABYSSINIA, 

Bexner  the  Personal  Narrative  of  an  Englishman,  a  long  resident  in  th« 

Country. 

By  MANSFIELD  PARKYNS,  Eso. 
With  Illustrations.     2  vols.  l2mo.     Price,  |2  50.     Cloth. 


LITERARY  ORITIOISMS. 

"  Of  one  thing  we  are  convinced,  and  tliat  is,  that  few  that  take  up  "  Lift  In 
Abyssinia,"  will  lay  it  down  without  reading;  it  tlirough,  and  without  exclaiming 
when  they  come  to  the  end  "  wliaC  an  amusing  book  tliis  is,  and  what  an  agreeable 
eavage  is  Mansfield  Parkyns." — BltickuoonTa  Magm.ne, 

"Since  the  appearance  of  "Typee  and  Omoo,''  we  have  w>cn  no  more  agrecabla 
volumes  of  travel  than  tiiosc  of  Mr.  Parkyns."— £",;&  Post. 

"  Mr.  Mansfield  I'urkyns  is  no  tourist,  but  a  genuine  traveller.  In  acqaaintance 
with  Eastern  languages  and  manners  lie  is  a  Buokhardt;  his  liking  for  Natural  History 
and  assiduity  as  a  collector,  reuiiiids  us  of  Waterton;  while  in  his  passion  for  the 
chase,  and  occasional  introduction  of  elei'lmnts,  friralTt-a,  and  lions,  he  bears  an  obvious 
likeness  to  Campbell  or  Gordon  Cumining." — Duhiin  Magazine, 

"Eemarkably  entertaining  and  interesting  volumes,  brimfull  of  adventures  and 
life.  We  have  read  them  with  perfect  gusto,  and  cordially  join  "  Blackweod's  recom- 
mendation."—Boston  Attas, 

"A  story  of  three  years  in  Abyssinian  life,  by  one  so  keen  in  observation  and  fond 
of  adventure  as  Mr.  Parkyna  cou'd  not  but  promise  a  great  attraction ;  and  no  one 
who  opens  this  book  will  lay  it  down  in  disappointment  He  sketches  the  incidents 
of  ills  travels  with  great  distinctness  and  vividness  and  portrays  character,  wherever 
iic  meets  it,  capitally."— AT.  Y.  Courier, 

"Tlie  author  appears  to  have  become  thoroughly  naturalized  among  the  singular 
people  with  whom  it  was  his  lot  to  dwell,  aud  tells  the  story  of  his  adventures  with  a 
liveliness  andfi-eedom  from  reserve  that  are  extremely  captivating."— ./oit/\  of  Com. 

"  Dullness  certainly  has  no  share  in  Mr.  Parkyns'  composition— it  is  a  capital 
book."— I/.  S.  Gazette. 

"This  is  no  ordinary  production."— -4/?;((H2/  Argus, 

"  Attractive  as  a  romance  while  tluy  have  the  merit  of  usefulness."— .ffo«^o;i  Cow, 

"The  most  Interastiiig  book  of  travel  issued  from  the  [ircss  in  many  years."— PA/ki. 
Courier. 

"  In  every  respect  the  volumes  are  truly  attractive." — American  Courier, 

"  We  have  been  liialily  amused,  and,  we  must  say,  instructed,  in  the  perusal  of  Mi. 
I'arkyn's  adventures."— ift(/<i/'>  Demtcrat. 

"  We  do  not  hesitate  to  eonunend  the  book  to  our  readers— it  will  amply  repay 
tbelr  a.i{ani\m:'— Hartford  Timen. 

"Tlie  work  ftilflls  all  the  autlior  promises."- cVi/7a«(Jh  Heglster, 

"To  all  who  are  in  any  kind  of  trouble  from  hot  weather,  bad  temper,  unpaid  btll^ 
iDd  the  like  annoyances,  we  would  nKommund  l\\U  hook,"— Providence  Journal. 

''The  Ptyle  is  pleasant  and  many  of  the  incidents  are  piquant  and  startling."— AocA«» 
'«r  American, 

••  These  ore  two  deligbtAil  volumes  of  travel,  ^Mh,  racy  and  glowing  with  11A.**« 
'bm.  AJpertiaer 


I  f  i  -f !!' 


D.  APPLETON  ik  CU.'S  PUBLIGATIONS. 


MRS.  COWDEN  CLARKE'S  NEW  ENGLISH  NOVEL. 


Ft     < 


The  Iron  Coufin,  or  Mutual  Influence. 

BY  MARY  COWDEN  CLARKE, 

4iihor  of  "TuE  Girlhood  of  Shakspearb's  Heuoi.ves    '  the     CoMPr>ni 
Concordance  to  Suakspkare,"  &,o.. 

One  handsomely  printed  volume,  large  12mo.  overSOOpages.  Price  $1.26 -sloth 

**  Mrs.  Clarke  bas  given  us  one  of  the  most  deligbtfkil  novels  we  have  read  for  many 
a  day,  and  one  which  is  destined,  we  doubt  not,  to  be  much  longer  lived  than  the  minority 
of  books  of  its  class.  Its  chiof  beauties  are  a  certain  freshness  in  the  style  in  which  the  in 
«<dent8  are  presented  to  us— a  healtliAil  tone  pervading  It— a  completeness  in  most  of  thd 
characters— and  a  truthful  power  in  the  descriptions."— Zondon  Times. 

"  We  have  found  the  volume  dfeply  interesting — its  characters  are  well  drawn,  whi>) 
Its  tone  and  sentiments  are  well  cr.iculatcd  to  exert  a  purifying  and  ennobling  influeno« 
upon  ail  wlio  read  It." — Savannah  liepuhlican. 

"The  scene  of  the  book  is  village  life  amongst  the  upper  class,  with  village  episodes, 
which  seem  to  have  been  sketched  ft-om  tlio  life — there  is  a  primitive  simplicity  and  grc^t 
aess  of  heart  about  some  of  the  characters  which  keep  up  the  sympathy  and  interest  ui 
the  end." — London  Olohe. 

"The  reader  cannot  fail  of  being  both  charmed  and  instructed  by  the  book,  and  oi 
*ioping  that  a  pen  so  abla  will  not  He  \A\ci.'"—Penn8ylvanian. 

"  We  fbarlessly  recommend  It  as  a  work  of  more  than  ordinary  merit." — Binghamptim 
Daily  Republie. 

"  The  great  moral  lesson  indicated  by  the  title-page  of  this  book  runs,  as  a  golden  thread, 
through  every  part  of  it,  while  the  reader  is  constantly  kept  in  contact  with  the  workimis 
of  an  inventive  and  brilliant  vcAnA.^''— Albany  Ar\jvs, 

"  We  have  read  this  fttscinating  story  with  a  good  deal  of  interest  Unman  nature  t« 
well  and  faithfully  portrayed,  and  wo  seo  ihe  counterpart  of  our  story  in  character  and 
disposition.  In  every  village  and  district  The  book  cannot  fail  of  popular  reception."- 
Albany  and  Rochester  Courier. 

A  work  of  dec,/  and  powerftal  influence.'' — ITerald. 

**  Mrs.  Cowdcn  Clarke,  with  the  delicacy  and  artistic  taste  of  refined  womanhood,  bas  o 
|\i1b  work  shown  great  versatility  of  talent" 

"The  story  is  too  deeply  interesting  to  allow  the  reader  to  lay  it  down  till  ho  \.t»  r«h<l 
<t  to  tlie  end." 

"The  work  isskllftil  in  plan,  graphic  In  style,  diveailfled  in  incidentand  trne  to  nature. 

"Tlie  tale  is  charmingly  imagined.  The  Inclilcnts  never  cseced  probahlllty  but  s«cin 
perfectly  natural.    In  the  style  tliern  is  mii    i  qualiitness,  in  the  sentiinotit  much  tonderno-^,' 

"  It  is  a  spirited,  charming  story,  full  of  a<lventur<^  friendsliip  and  love,  with  charHcterN 
bVmIv  drawn  and  carefully  discriminated.  The  clear  stylo  and  fplril  witli  wliich  llie  story 
to  presented  and  the  characters  developed,  will  attrrflt  a  large  constituency  to  the  perusal." 

"  Mrs.  Cowden  Clarke'*  story  has  one  of  the  highest  qualities  of  fiction  -it  is  no  tllclierInK 
■iMdcw,  but  seems  of  real  growth.  It  is  f^ill  of  lively  truth,  and  sliows  nice  perceptlo*  ot 
tb«  eerly  elements  of  character  with  which  we  become  acquainted  In  lU  wbolene«^  and  In 
the  rlpenees  of  yeare.  The  inoident  is  well  woven :  the  color  is  blonl  ■  warm ;  end  tbei*  'f 
ihe  pieeenoo  nf  a  tweet  grace  and  gentle  pow  er  " 


/ojva 


rSH  NOVEL. 

Influence. 

'  the     CkiHPURi 

I.  Price  $1.25- doth 

v'o  have  read  for  manj 

lived  than  the  tn^ority 

!  style  in  which  the  in 

)Ictcncss  in  most  of  thd 

nea. 

i  are  well  drawn,  whiii 

nd  ennobling  influeno* 

,  with  village  episodes, 
0  simplicity  and  grcM^ 
npathy  and  interest  to 

by  the  boolc,  and  ol 

wiAV^—Binghamptnn 

una,  as  a  golden  thread, 
ict  with  the  workin<!8 

Bt  Unman  nature  i« 
ory  in  character  ai>d 
popular  reception."— 

cd  womanhood,  has  n 

down  till  1)0  I  M  rchd 

it  and  true  to  nature, 
probability  but  s«c»n 
nt  much  tendernc*' 
love,  with  clmriicterH 
with  whicli  the  story 
ticy  to  the  perusal." 
m— It  Is  no  fllckerJujj 
8  nice  ^rceptloB  o( 
ts  wboleneM,  and  In 
warm ;  and  th«v»  li 


D.  AFPLFTON  4"  CO.'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


THE  GREAT  KENTUCKY  NOVEL. 


D.  APFLETON  &  COMPANY 

HAVE  JUST  PUBLISHED 

Tempest  and  Sunfliine ;   or,  Life  in 

Kentucky. 

BY  MRS.  MARY  J.  HOLMES. 

One  Volume,  12mo     Paper  covers,  75  cents;  cloth,  |1. 

These  are  the  raoBt  striking  and  original  sketches  of  American 
character  in  the  South-western  States  which  have  ever  heen  pub- 
lished. The  character  of  Tempest  is  drawn  with  all  that  spirit  and 
energy  which  characterize  the  high  toned  female  spirit  of  the 
South,  while  Sunshine  possesses  the  loveliness  and  gentleness  ot 
the  sweetest  of  her  sex.  The  Planter  is  sketched  to  the  life,  and 
in  his  strongly  marked,  passionate,  and  generous  nature,  the  reader 
will  recognize  one  of  the  truest  sons  of  the  south-west. 


OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

"The  book  1b  well  written,  and  its  fame  will  bo  more  than  ephemeral."— .Bif/d/o 
Erpreaa. 

"The  story  Is  interesting  and  finely  developed."— Z)(if^y  Timet. 

"Alively  romance  of  western  life- the  stylo  of  the  writer  is  smart,  intelligent,  and 
wlnniiig,  and  her  story  Is  told  with  spirit  and  skill."—  U.  S.  Gazette. 

"An  excellent  work,  and  Its  sale  must  bo  extonsivo."— 5<rt»i/br(i  Advocate. 

"The  whole  is  relieved  by  a  generous  introduction  of  incident  as  well  as  by  an  am- 
plitude of  love  and  mystery." — Kxprcsn. 

"  A  delightful,  well  written  book,  portraying  western  IKb  to  the  letter.  The  book 
abounds  In  an  easy  humor,  with  touching  sentences  of  tenderness  and  pathos  scattered 
through  it,  and  from  first  to  last  keej  «  up  a  humane  interest  that  very  many  author* 
Btrlvoln  vain  to  achieve.  'Tempest' i\nd  'Sunshine,'  two  sisters,  aro  an  exeuipUfira- 
tlon  of  the  good  that  to  some  comet  by  nature,  and  tn  others  is  found  tnly  through 
trinK  tempUtlon,  and  tribulation.  Mr.  Mlddlcton,  the  fullier  of  'Tempest  and  *8un 
sldne,'  la  the  very  sou!  and  8i)irit  of  '  Old  Kaintuck,'  abridged  lnt<i  one  ma?  T»xe  br-oi 
li  worth  reading.  There  is  a  healthy  tone  of  morality  pervading  It  th»t  will  mak*  U  i 
•uitabl*  work  to  b«  placed  In  the  hands  of  our  daughters  and  ilstera."— ir«tP  Tort  Dut 

aiM*. 


Dumas's  last  and  best  Book. 


if 


1^     V, 


i5^ 


'  Ihr 


5»      ■  fr 


D.    APPLETON  &  COMPANY, 

HAYK     JUST      READY      THE      FIFTH      THOUSAND      09 

THE    FORESTERS. 

BY    ALEX.    DUMAS. 
VEANSLATBD    FROM    THE     AUTHOr's     ORIGINAL    H%M, 

1  nest  vol.  12mo.  In  paper,  50  cents ;  cloth,  76  eenta. 


WMTENTS.— To  my  Daughter.— The  New  House  on  the  Road  to  Soiuraa 
— >-MBthieu  Goguelue. — ^A  .  {i.-J  of  Evil  Omen. — Catherine  Blun, — ^Th« 
Parisian. — Jealousy. — ^Fa'^- ^rund  Mother. — ^The  Ret  ivn. — Mademoiselle 
Euphrosinc  Raisin. — ^Loves  Young  Dream. — ^The  Abb6  Gregoire. — 
Father  and  Son. — ^The  Village  Fdte. — A.  Snake  in  the  Grass. — ^Tempta- 
tion and  Crime. — ^The  Ranger's  Home. — Apprehension. — ^The  Book  ol 
tho  Innocent — ^Mathieu's  Trial 


Notices  of  the  Press. 

"A  lively  story  of  love,  joaloasy,  and  intrigue."—^  F.  Com.  Advertiser. 

"  Another  proof  of  Dumas's  nnrivalled  talent" — JWiddletown  Sentinel. 

'*The  talo  is  a  simple  one,  but  exciting  and  interesting.  The  scene  is  laid  in  Villers- 
ex.  arets  in  France.  The  reputation  of  the  author  is  so  firmly  established,  that  in  our 
aik  !ngthat  the  tran^latiDn  is  a  faithful  one,  our  readers  who  are  novel  readers  will  have 
hoard  auflaclent"— PMa.  Reglnter. 

"  A  capital  stor, .    The  reader  will  find  tho  interest  increase  to  the  cnA.'^—Philn.  Gat, 

" The  present  volume  fully  sustains  the  high  reputation  of  Its  .luthor ;  it  shoMS  a  very 
high  order  of  genius.  The  trpnslation  is  such  perfectly  good  English,  that  we  easily  forjret 
that  we  itro  not  reading  the  work  in  the  language  in  which  it  was  originally  written. "-- 
Albany  Argue. 

"  A  short,  but  stirring  romance.  ^—Boston  Atlat. 

"This  work  of  Dnmas*B  is  an  intere(*ting  one.  The  plot  is  well  laid,  and  the  incidents 
bnrry  on,  one  ailer  another,  so  rapidly  that  tho  interest  is  kept  up  to  the  close." — Hartford 
Cournnt. 

"  It  is  a  lipital  stoiT,  and  an  unmistakable  Dumaa's  work.  T;)  say  this,  is  to  bestow  upon 
ItsuflRcicuL  prnlHO." — Troy  Timen. 

"This  now  story  of  Dumas  will  afford  a  dollghtftil  resource  for  a  leisure  hour."— 7yi« 
Bisorrt'. 

"  This  very  entertaining  novel  Is  indubitably  one  of  Dumas's  best  efforts :  It  cannot  fail  t« 
become  widely  popular." — N.  Y.  Courier. 

"  A  pleasing,  romantic  love  story,  written  with  the  author's  usual  vigor," — Neioark  Adt 

"  A  qnict  domestic  tale  that  roust  charm  all  readers."— <SyraoM««  Daily. 

"  This  is  a  lively  story  of  love,  Jealousy  and  intrigue,  in  a  French  village."— /"Aito,  IhtUii 

"The  fame  of  the  author  will  alone  secnre  a  wide  circulation  for  this  book.  lTel?oiii 
of  the  best  novel  writers  living.  'The  Foresters'  fully  suKtalns  bis  groat  reputation. "- 
Troy  fhillij  TimtH. 

"This  exceedingly  entertaining  novel  Is  ft-om  tlie  pen  of  one  of  rho  most  eminent  »nd 
wlebnted  of  Mtxlorn  French  novelists— Alexander  Dumas." — Binghampton  RepuhUoi* 

"  This  production  of  tho  celebrateti  atithor,  is  written  in  the  same  masterly  style  foi 
•rhloh  all  bis  works  are  noted."— //<ir(/l>rrf  Timea. 

"  The  Fore.xters,  as  a  work  by  Itself,  is  one  of  many  chsnx't.  That  the  book  will  U 
riy  sought  after,  there  can  be  no  doubt.    That  every  reader  will  admire  it  is  none  iti< 


I  certain. — Buffalo  Morning  Xippreeti, 

"  It  will  t«  fl^und  an  interesting  story."— i4rlAwr'<  ITome  OcmetU. 

**Tae  plot  is  txtn'inelv  pleaainp,  and  tho  book  must  'n'>et  wtib  a  r^d?  and  ».t«nirt*| 
It'*.''— SvaottM  D  lUy 


est  Book. 

^PANY, 


THOUSAND      Of 


:ers. 


'S     ORIGINAL     MIft 

ilotb,  75  eenta, 

ise  on  the  Road  to  Soitieni 
en. — Catherine  Blun. — ^Th« 
rhe  Ret  ;rn. — Mademoiselle 
I. — ^The  Abb6  Gregoire. — 
ike  in  the  Grass. — ^Tempta- 
)prehension. — ^The  Book  oi 


'.  Com.  Advertiser. 

Hown  Sentinel, 

(\g.  The  Bceno  is  kid  In  Villera- 
DO  firmly  established,  that  in  onr 
who  are  novel  readers  will  have 

irease  to  the  end." — P7dl<t.  One. 

in  of  Its  .luthor ;  it  sliows  a  vory 
<M>d  English,  that  we  easily  fortset 
hich  it  was  originally  written."— 


lot  is  well  laid,  and  the  Incidenta 
kept  up  to  the  dose." — Hartford 

T)  say  this,  Is  to  bestow  upon 

K)urce  for  a  leisure  hour." — Tin 
las's  best  efTorta :  it  cannot  fail  ti/ 

or's  usual  vigor." — Nexoark  Adr 
S'/raouts  Daily. 
French  village."— /**««.  ViUlf 

Milation  for  this  book.    He  ir  out 
suNtains  bis  groat  reputattou."- 

of  one  of  (he  most  eminent  «n<) 
." — BtnghampUm  liepuhlic.  i» 

in  the  name  masterly  styla  (a 

oharnt.    That  the  book  will  U 

reader  will  admir*  It  la  Dono  Uii 

t 

OautetU. 
r»«»et  wfth  a  t**Aj  kn«1  »«t»n»w» 


